“Works like the Wagner Ring Cycle—four operas, 16 hours of music, brimming with mythological, social and philosophic significance, and in German to boot—can’t be called user-friendly,” writes Jim Beckerman in Thursday’s (1/9) Record (Bergen County, N.J.). “The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is taking on the challenge in its 2020 Winter Festival at several area venues. Their ‘In the Spotlight’ concerts this week and next, including … ‘The Ring Without Words,’ … are designed to give greenhorns a bite-size sampling of these musical feasts…. ‘For us, the educational aspect is kind of central to our mission,’ says Patrick Chamberlain, director of artistic planning for the symphony…. ‘It’s taking the most iconic, recognizable music, and using it in a way that might be more digestible for the audience.’ … Lorin Maazel’s ‘Ring Without Words,’ an orchestral ‘greatest hits’ selection, follows the trajectory of the four operas … and has a special significance for [NJSO Music Director] Xian Zhang. She studied under Maazel, one-time conductor of the New York Philharmonic. ‘She’s honoring him in his role in her life and career,’ Chamberlain says.” In a preconcert presentation, “Musicologist Jeffrey Swann will … discuss Wagner, his work, and his musical innovations.”
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