Widely regarded as one of the greatest violinists of the past half century, Pinchas Zukerman comes across as remarkably free of ego. He’s more interested in cultivating the next generation of musicians. In fact, if you try to ask him anything about his upcoming concerts with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, education is all he wants to talk about.

He’s especially excited about several initiatives being undertaken by the orchestra in the coming weeks, which include a plan to host young string players from the Manhattan School of Music. The students will participate in the NJSO’s performances of Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony, on January 26, 28 & 29, following a period of intensive mentorship.

Zukerman is artistic director of this year’s NJSO Winter Festival, appearing as both soloist and conductor on three programs in as many weeks. Each concert will be performed in three separate venues across the state – six in all – starting tonight at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Other locations will include bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) in Englewood, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Mayo Performing Arts Center – MPAC in Morristown, and the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick.

On January 20, Zukerman will be appear at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, as soloist in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Also on the program will be Samuel Barber’s “School for Scandal Overture” and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 “Organ.” Christian Vásquez will take the podium for the 8 p.m. concert.

You can learn more about the NJSO Winter Festival, Zukerman and Vásquez in my article in today’s Trenton Times.

http://www.nj.com/times-entertainment/index.ssf/2017/01/classical_music_njsos_winter_f.html