NASHUA, NH – Tianhui Ng is a finalist in Symphony New Hampshire’s music director search. Here is my behind the scenes look at the music and astrophysics side of the concert.
New Hampshire Passions, the upcoming orchestral program by Symphony New Hampshire on Saturday April 18 is not your parents traditional classical music concert . Symphony New Hampshire music director finalist Tianhui Ng is taking the orchestra to the crossroads of music, passion, and science in a series of rehearsals. Here’s a behind the scene look at how this builds out to be a different kind of concert.
I first met Tianhui last year sitting next to me, as it turned out, at a Symphony New Hampshire concert. We hit it off well immediately. His energy and welcoming smile led to some Instagram exchanges over the winter. This is the SNH music director finalist candidate who embraces change and exploration and brings his audience and musicians along with him.
He’s excited and appears totally comfortable taking a calculated risk by introducing the New Hampshire Premiere of the Black Hole Symphony. I say calculated risk because the seasoned professionals of New Hampshire’s Symphonic sound (that would be Symphony NH) deliver polished performances that make it look easy. Their track record includes the New Hampshire Concerto, commissioned by them which engaged four colleges across New Hampshire building a first of its kind commission that gave undergraduate music majors a major boost for their future job prospects.
The timing is perfect here for the Black Hole Symphony. Artemis II just returned from its record breaking space mission. Project Hail Mary (a movie I highly recommend) has set off sky high social media engagement and box office records. So, I find it very appropriate that Tianhui’s goal of introducing new audiences to mainstays of classical repertoire includes a bit of space exploration.
Black Hole Symphony Composer David Ibbett was at the first rehearsal and he will be a special guest at the Saturday performance. In 2023, David was named the first resident composer at the center for astrophysics at Harvard | Smithsonian. He is also the director of the Multiverse concert series. A project that integrates music and Science in live performance as we will see this weekend. David sits at the intersection Science and Arts a formula for success of which I have long been an advocate.
Astrophysicist Sheperd “Shep” Doeleman will be attending along with composer Ibbett. They may be speaking at the Preludes conversation which takes place an hour before the concert. Doeleman led the international team of researchers that produced the first directly observed image of a black hole. Quite a combination of people we will have here in New Hampshire this weekend. Tian said that the Boston Premiere of Black Hole Symphony had more than 300 people show up just to meet Doeleman and hear him speak.
Tianhui Ng and I in discussion of the bridge between science, music and the arts
Tianhui Ng stresses how important it is to bring in new audiences with different approaches to classical music and these juxtapositions and the melding of science and music offers insight to what brings people together.
I asked Tian what was the thinking that brought you to include Black Hole Symphony and Natthan Ben -Yehuda as collaborators for this concert?
The Black Hole Symphony comes from my belief in staying open to new ideas and new possibilities! David Ibbett was one of dozens of composers who write to me each year with music to look at. I always try my best to give it my best consideration! And where the music excites my sensibilities, we then begin the hunt for the right set of circumstances to present the music in its fullness. I was excited that the confluence of many time, place and people made it possible for us to do what was basically an extensive orchestra workshop process with the New England Philharmonic, and ultimately its Boston premiere last year!
Nathan Ben-Yehuda is a dear collaborator and friend whom I’ve known for years. We first met through the Victory Players, my new music ensemble. Every one of the musicians in the ensemble is a virtuoso on their instruments, but I was looking for some additional qualities, including cultural sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to communicate across differences. Nathan, like the rest of the ensemble, was selected from a deep pool of many possible pianists and has continued to inspire me with the beauty and excitement of his music-making, no doubt, a product of the thoughtfulness, depth of preparation and consideration, and embodied passion that informs so much of his performance!
How did they react and respond to your offer?
Hahah! I think joyfully! In the case of David, perhaps with some initial trepidation! After all, it’s a new work, and it’s always exciting to think of all the things that can go right, but also what could go wrong!
And how do you measure the success of your efforts – for the concert itself? for you personally?
For me, it’s always been the Goose Pimple Factor. Haha. Did I get the chills from the ensemble and the audience because we were so transported by the music? Did we experience that child-like sense of wonder, and that wonderful delight, that can be so healing and transformative in music!
The concert includes the romantic Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with guest pianist Nathan Ben-Yehuda.
| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO |
| PRELUDES: A Pre-Concert Conversation sponsored by InkLink News Join us at 6:30 PM for Preludes, a pre-concert conversation that introduces audiences to the evening’s program. Led by Tianhui Ng and joined by composer David Ibbett and astrophysicist Sheperd “Shep” Doeleman, this informal discussion will provide insight into the music you’ll hear, with a focus on exploring the science and creative vision behind Black Hole Symphony. Preludes also offers a unique opportunity to get to know the Music Director finalist and gain a deeper appreciation for the performance ahead. |
| BE A PART OF THE FUTURE |
| Tianhui Ng is the third of five candidates being considered for Symphony NH’s next Music Director. Hailed by The Boston Globe for transforming the experience of new music from “great to unforgettable,” Ng is celebrated for his infectious enthusiasm and ability to connect deeply with musicians and audiences alike. “Tianhui Ng stood out to us for his extraordinary ability to make music feel both deeply relevant and powerfully human. His experience collaborating with today’s leading composers, and his passion for intercultural dialogue reflect the artistic values we hold at Symphony NH,” says Deanna Hoying, Executive Director of Symphony NH. “Tian brings not only exceptional musicianship, but also a compelling vision for how an orchestra can connect meaningfully with its community.” Audience members are invited to share feedback following each finalist concert, helping to shape the artistic future of New Hampshire’s oldest professional orchestra. Symphony NH will feature the remaining two finalists in its Fall 2026 season. |
| JUST THE FACTS |
| New Hampshire Passions Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 7:30 PM Preludes: 6:30 PM Keefe Auditorium | 117 Elm Street, Nashua, NH Tianhui Ng, Conductor & Music Director finalist Nathan Ben-Yehuda, Piano David Ibbett, Guest Composer Sheperd “Shep” Doeleman, narrator Mabel Daniels — Deep Forest Sergei Rachmaninoff — Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 David Ibbett — Black Hole Symphony (in partnership with the Multiverse Concert Series) Learn more at symphonynh.org/nhpassions |
Puchase tickets directly from SymphonyNH here.