New Jersey orchestra set for concert to mark Year of the Pig

In 2016, Zhang was appointed music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. And she became the BBC National Orchestra of Wales' first female principal guest conductor of 2015.

Before that, she was the music director of the Sioux City (Iowa) Symphony Orchestra from 2005 to 2007. She has been the music director of Milan's Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra since 2009.

When Zhang was preparing for the concert, she wanted to bring Eastern and Western music together. So the event mixes dragon dances, traditional Chinese folk songs, modern music and very well-known Western opera excerpts.

As for the two premieres, she says that the Spring Festival Overture is a classic piece and very popular in China. It was selected to be broadcast in space on China's first lunar probe Chang'e-1.

Meanwhile, the NJSO has performed many pieces by award-winning composer Tan over the years. And the Triple Resurrection will be a festive showpiece for two soloists of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra-concertmaster Eric Wyrick and principal cellist Jonathan Spitz-besides local pianist Min Kwon.

Speaking about the show, Chen says: "Musically, it will be very attractive for the audience; and visually, this concert will be very colorful and vibrant," adding that when people walk into the lobby of the concert hall, they will immediately experience the culture firsthand, with Chinese calligraphy, dancing, solo performances by young Chinese musicians and a children's choir singing Chinese traditional songs.