The highly-regarded conductor will makes her debut as musical director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra this week
When conductor Xian Zhang lifts her arms to begin the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's 2016 season on Oct. 27, she will be directing her first concert as the symphony's new musical director and making NJSO history as the first woman to hold that position, a maestra instead of a maestro.
Yet Zhang is incredibly calm as the big night approaches, confident in both her abilities and those of the musicians she'll be guiding for the next four years.
"I don't focus on things I can't change. I try not to waste the energy," Zhang said in an interview with NJ Advance Media, noting she's familiar with many of the orchestra members from past guest conducting appearances, beginning in 2010.
"I felt very comfortable from the very first time ... It really started as love at first sight, from the first time we met," she said. "Conductors and musicians know instantly if there is chemistry or not."
Zhang comes to the Garden State from Italy, where she served as music director at the Orchestra Sinfonia di Milano Giuseppe Verdi since 2009. She recently ended a stint as Artistic Director of the Dutch Youth Orchestra, a position she'd held since 2011. She's appeared as a guest conductor with symphonies around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra. She will continue to be the principal Guest Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
This season Zhang will conduct seven NJSO subscription classical concerts, beginning with a series of three Tchaikovsky scores.
While Zhang is serene, those around her are excited for her to take the stage and the orchestra's helm. NJSO President and CEO Gabriel van Aalst, who also recently joined the orchestra, said musical colleagues who had worked with Zhang contacted him to pile accolades on the conductor when they learned they'd be working together: "You're in for a real treat," one said. Another called Zhang " a delight" and a third mused that van Aalst was a lucky guy.
This wasn't news to van Aalst, who had already seen Zhang conduct.
"She is a powerhouse," said van Aalst, who previously served as chief executive with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the world's premiere chamber orchestra in the United Kingdom. "She's absolutely 100 percent committed to this orchestra and it's a very exciting time for all of us."
Zhang, who was born in China, said one of her longer term goals is energizing the orchestra's sound, bringing a "more vibrant, fuller sound." In the next few months, as she gets to know the players, she imagines she will make slight adjustments in terms of seating to improve overall the acoustical experience.
Another goal is to introduce the orchestra to more New Jersey residents, including the younger generation. She regularly brings her two sons, ages 7 and 4, to classical musical performances.
"People need to just give it a chance and hear it once and I think they will love it," she said. "Most kids have probably never heard a symphony concert or seen so many people performing together but they are where are future is. My hope is that 10 years from now, that's who is going to come to our concerts."
Van Aalst said everyone -- old time orchestra lovers, newbies, doubters and children -- should come out to see Zhang conduct. During her previous area appearances, she's received rave reviews, with NJ Advance critic writing that during her April 2016 performance, Zhang "won over the crowd with both her remarks and her musicianship. And like any good trailer or overture, it left you wanting more. ... A good music director isn't just a conductor; she's also a communicator and a leader."
"It's one thing to talk about her, when you see her on the podium, it's astonishing what can draw out from the orchestra," van Aalst said. "She's such a brilliant conductor and we're so lucky to have her."
Xian Zhang Debuts as NJSO's Musical Director
Xian Zhang, conductor
Simon Trpceski, piano
Saturday, October 27, at 1:30 pm | NJPAC in Newark
Friday, October 28, at 8 pm | Richardson Auditorium in Princeton
Saturday, October 29, at 8 pm | State Theatre in New Brunswick
Sunday, October 30, at 3 pm | Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown
Full concert information is available at www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/xian-zhang-debuts-as-music-director.
Tickets: Range between $20 -$52. Purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilio. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.