By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) with DreamPlay Films presents “EMERGE,” an NJSO Concert Film trilogy pairing orchestral performances with stunning visuals, mesmerizing dance sequences and format-bending on-and off-stage elements.

Music Director Xian Zhang conducts programs featuring a trio of star pianists—Daniil Trifonov, Simone Dinnerstein and Inon Barnatan. The films are directed by award-winning, Newark-raised filmmaker Yuri Alves and produced by DreamPlay Films, part of Newark-based DreamPlay Media.

The films premiere through June at njsymphony.org/emerge and on the NJSO’s YouTube channel. The films are free for viewing.

“EMERGE Part 1” premieres April 28.

 Zhang leads the East Coast premiere of “Primal Message” by American composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama, whom ‘Gramophone’ has hailed for the “bold mesmerizing character” of her music. Simone Dinnerstein, whose “individual, compelling” (‘New York Times’) interpretation of Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” propelled her to international fame, performs Bach’s Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056. The program closes with Schumann’s Fourth Symphony. The film features captivating images of and inspired by the people of Newark, and is presented in 4K anamorphic widescreen.

“EMERGE Part 2” premieres May 26.

Inon Barnatan brings his “penetrating musicianship, compelling interpretive insight and elegant pianism” (BBC Music) to Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement. Zhang pairs the celebrated American concerto with Mozart’s Symphony No. 39.

The film features dance performances by local dancers Cori Barnes and M.A. Taylor, behind the scenes images of the NJSO musicians, and is presented in black-and-white 4K Ultra HD.

“EMERGE Part 3” premieres June 23

Grammy Award winner and “Musical America” 2019 Artist of the Year Daniil Trifonov — “without question the most astounding young pianist of our age” (‘The Times’) — returns to the NJSO. He performs Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto, which also features NJSO Assistant Principal Trumpet Anderson Romero. Zhang brings the series to a close with Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony.

The film features riveting images of and inspired by the people of New Jersey, presented in 4K Ultra HD.

The film series, which will be available on demand after the premiere, is part of NJSO Virtual 20–21, the Orchestra’s digital season. For more information, visit njsymphony.org/virtual.

PROGRAM

EMERGE: An NJSO Concert Film Trilogy

A musical journey without boundaries.

EMERGE Part 1: An NJSO Concert Film

Wed, Apr 28, at 7:30 pm

This moment invites us to discover hidden dimensions within, and to see the world with fresh eyes. A new beginning awaits.

Xian Zhang, conductor

Simone Dinnerstein, piano

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Yuri Alves, director

Igor Alves, producer

DreamPlay Films

Tim Martyn, audio producer

BACH Keyboard Concerto No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1056

 NOKUTHULA NGWENYAMA Primal Message (East Coast Premiere)

SCHUMANN Symphony No. 4

The film features NJSO and Simone Dinnerstein on stage and captivating images of and inspired by the people of Newark. Presented in 4K anamorphic widescreen.

EMERGE Part 2: An NJSO Concert Film

Wed, May 26, at 7:30 pm

In tune with hope and beauty, the world beckons us to move ahead in solidarity and in purpose. Let us create—from love—a better world.

Xian Zhang, conductor

Inon Barnatan, piano

Cori Barnes, dancer

M.A. Taylor, dancer

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Yuri Alves, director

Igor Alves, producer

DreamPlay Films

Tim Martyn, audio producer

PRICE Piano Concerto in One Movement

MOZART Symphony No. 39

The film features the NJSO and Inon Barnatan on stage, dance performances by Cori Barnes and M.A. Taylor and behind-the-scenes images of NJSO musicians. Presented in black-and-white 4K Ultra HD.

EMERGE Part 3: An NJSO Concert Film

Wed, June 23, at 7:30 pm

Light and sound guide our path to grace in the collective soul. It is time to embrace humanity anew and to thrive in the abundance of our destiny.

Xian Zhang, conductor

Daniil Trifonov, piano

Anderson Romero, trumpet

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Yuri Alves, director

Igor Alves, producer

DreamPlay Films

Tim Martyn, audio producer

SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 1

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

This film features NJSO and Daniil Trifonov on stage and riveting images of and

inspired by the people of New Jersey. Presented in 4K Ultra HD.

NJSO VIRTUAL

To learn more about NJSO and access, for free, the “Emerge” and former concerts, visit njsymphony.org/virtual

Connect with NJSO:

Website: njsymphony.org

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NJSymphony

YouTube: @NewJerseySymphony

Email: information@njsymphony.org

YURI ALVES

Filmmaker Yuri Alves has written and directed films, primetime television programs and commercial projects in the US and Europe. Alves’ films have screened at over 100 film festivals worldwide, earning 20 awards. Alves’ projects include “Grind, On the Cusp and Exit Road” and the European primetime television series “Tempo Final” and “Filha da Lei.” Alves is the co-founder and creative director of DreamPlay Media and served as head of production at Fox Digital Studios. Alves was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Portuguese parents, and grew up in Newark, New Jersey.

For more, visit yurialves.com | Instagram: @yurialvescinema.

DREAMPLAY FILMS

DreamPlay Films develops and produces narrative and documentary films, television programming and more. DreamPlay Films is a division of DreamPlay Media, an original and creative media company, based in Newark, NJ. For more, visit dreamplayfilms.com | dreamplaymedia.com.

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MOTHER’S DAY GIFT

From NJPAC & ALVIN AILEY

By Mabel Pais

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater “Revelations Reimagined”

Saturday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 9th at 3:00 p.m.

Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater!

For 21 seasons, Alvin Ailey has been a beloved tradition at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Although we can’t gather in person this year, NJPAC has something special honoring MOTHERS: a virtual screening of Alvin Ailey’s new dance film, “Revelations Reimagined.”

Whether your family is near or far, tune in and remember the feeling of live performance. This presentation is a thank you to everyone who has enjoyed Alvin Ailey at NJPAC in the past—and a hopeful reminder of all the soul-stirring performances yet to come.

“Revelations Reimagined” explores “Revelations” in a new context: past and present, on stage and off, a cultural treasure that transformed modern dance forever and continues to reinvent itself. The beloved Ailey masterpiece pays tribute to African-American heritage — “sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful” — and to the power of the human spirit.

Program

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater “Revelations Reimagined”

Saturday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 9th at 3:00 p.m.

To RSVP, visit njpac.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-revelations-reimagined

NJPAC

To learn more about NJPAC, visit njpac.org

 ALVIN AILEY

To learn more about Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, visit alvinailey.org

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness)