Garden State Philharmonic Opens 63rd Season with Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Sept. 6, 2018 - PRLog -- The Garden State Philharmonic, under the baton of new Music Director & Conductor Diane Wittry, opens their 63^rd Season with a colorful program that includes Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Nielsen's Selections from Aladdin on Sunday, September 16^th at 3:00p.m. at the Jay & Linda Grunin Center for the Arts on the campus of Ocean County College. World renowned violinist Judy Kang joins the Garden State Philharmonic for Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor.

The colorful and exotic tales of Scheherazade, the brilliant story-telling princess, captured the imagination of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and inspired him to compose one of the most beloved pieces in orchestral literature. With this piece, the beautiful Scheherazade character is portrayed by rising melodies featuring the concert master's solo violin playing. Rimsky-Korsakov noted, "A characteristic theme, the theme of Scheherazade herself, appears in all four movements. This theme is a florid melody in triplets, and it generally ends in a free cadenza. It is played, for the most part, by the solo violin." Concert master Ruotao Mao will bring the magic of Scheherazade to life with the Garden State Philharmonic.

Despite having written three symphonies and two other violin concertos, Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor has become his most popular work. Starting with a lyrical prelude and rising cadenzas from the solo violin, the 1st movement of the concerto is a dialogue between the orchestra and the soloist and leads without pause in the second movement, which is a beautiful song. This is followed by the third movement, a feisty dance melody alternated with a lyrical section which showcases the soloist in a gypsy violin fashion. The Garden State Philharmonic is thrilled to feature Judy Kang as violin soloist for this great work.

Judy Kang is distinctly recognized for her individuality and unique career as a violinist and established soloist and chamber musician in the classical world as well as in the world of pop, indie, jazz, and hip hop music. She recently completed her debut self-titled album, all of which she wrote, produced, and recorded, and was released worldwide March 5, 2013. In the midst of touring Europe, Judy flew to NYC for less than 30 hours to perform as soloist at Stern Hall at Carnegie Hall. The New York Times wrote, "Judy Kang, a Canadian violinist and most likely the only musician to have worked with both Pierre Boulez and Lady Gaga, was featured in Brahms's Violin Concerto. Ms. Kang, who drew whoops from the audience before playing a single note, offered a lean, focused sound, pinpoint intonation and expressively molded phrasing. Every line seemed to mean something personal in what amounted to an amorous serenade."

Judy was six when she made her solo debut with an orchestra and at age ten, she burst onto the classical music scene in a nationally acclaimed televised performance as soloist with the National Arts Center Orchestra. The Ottawa Citizen enthusiastically stated, "If there was a star tonight, it was Judy Kang. Blessed with a gift for the violin that is exceptional, she moves about the instrument at her disposal with an ease that is awe-inspiring." She was accepted to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music at 11 on full scholarship and At 17, graduated with a Bachelor in Music as the youngest graduate in its history. Upon graduation, she captured the Grand-Prize as well as the "Best Interpretation" prize at the CBC Competition for Young Performers. She graduated from Juilliard at 19 and became the first graduate, with high honours, of the prestigious Artist Diploma at the Manhattan School of Music.

She has toured 6 continents and has performed with a multitude of orchestras around the world. A member of the acoustic trio of Ryuichi Sakamoto, they have toured Europe and Asia in sold out shows and have released 2 albums. Judy has collaborated with several artists from Lenny Kravitz to members of the Guarneri Quartet and was selected personally by pop icon Lady Gaga as her solo violinist at the MonsterBall World Tour. Of her acclaimed performance and collaboration with Pierre Boulez and IRCAM, The New York times wrote, "violinist Judy Kang, who played with assurance and imagination, became the wizardly master of an entire sound environment."

She has performed at major festivals such as Marlboro, Ravinia, Evian, and the Barcelona Jazz Festival, and was a top prize winner at the Nielsen, Dong-A, Kreisler, and Naumburg International Violin Competitions.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Garden State Philharmonic Office: 732-255-0460 Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They can also be reserved on the Garden State Philharmonic website, http://www.gardenstatephilharmonic.org.

The Garden State Philharmonic Symphony Society, Inc. (GSP) is dedicated to a mission of maintaining and operating a professional symphony orchestra at the Jersey Shore; to giving concerts of cultural and educational value in and for the community; and to fostering such related activities that will encourage interest in and appreciation of music.