London Symphony Orchestra to Bring Bartok and Stravinsky to NJPAC, 10/24

Valery Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra play the music of Bartók and Stravinsky, with pianist Yefim Bronfman -- dazzling, explosive and colorful works from the early 20th century that celebrate the virtuosity of these great artists -- Saturday, October 24 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ. Doors at 7:30pm; Performance at 8:00pm. Tickets start at $29.

In his eighth sensational season as principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, Valery Gergiev returns to NJPAC with the orchestra in a program that hits the sweet spot in his formidable artistry -- music of Béla Bartók and Stravinsky, dazzling, explosive and colorful works from the early 20th century that vigorously celebrate the virtuosity of a great orchestra.

Joining Gergiev and the LSO in Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 3 is pianist Yefim Bronfman, who has made a specialty of Bartók's provocative and demanding concertos. Bronfman's 1996 recording of all three Bartók concertos won him a Grammy Award, and The New York Times hailed his 2014 New York Philharmonic performance of Concerto No. 3 as "brilliantly charismatic ... Mr. Bronfman's playing radiated warmth, from the zippy playfulness of the first movement to the mystical chorale of the second to the jaunty fugue of the finale."

"Awesome" is the only word to describe the impact of both Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin Suite and Stravinsky's complete ballet score of The Firebird. This is the repertoire that always fires Gergiev's imagination, forging unforgettable sound-pictures with the limitless palette of the LSO.

Program:

Valery Gergiev, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano

Bartók: Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3
Stravinsky: The Firebird (complete)

This performance is part of the 2015-16 Bank of America Classical Music Series, a unique season of exhilarating performances spanning the best of the classical music world. "The Classical Series brings some of the world's most esteemed musicians to one of the premier cultural destinations in the country." said Bob Doherty, New Jersey president, Bank of America. "We're committed to supporting organizations like NJPAC who engage audiences with compelling programming and contribute to New Jersey's cultural vibrancy."

Join us for the Bank of America Classical Overtures, held an hour prior to each classical concert. These interactive presentations are hosted by Maestro George Marriner Maull of New Jersey's Discovery Orchestra and are free to ticket holders.

For more about the show, visit www.njpac.org/events/detail/london-symphony-orchestra, and for more about the London Symphony Orchestra, go to lso.co.uk.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey - where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state's and the world's best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 9 million visitors (including over 1.5 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.