The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra is set to open its 2025-26 season in grand style with a special concert celebrating the 150th anniversary of French composer Maurice Ravel’s birth. The event, titled “Happy Birthday Maurice Ravel”, takes place Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 716 Watchung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ. Maestro Charles Prince will conduct the orchestra in an evening filled with some of Ravel’s most iconic and beloved compositions.
The program includes Mother Goose Suite (Ma mère l’Oye), a whimsical orchestral adaptation of Ravel’s piano duet inspired by classic fairy tales, highlighting his mastery of musical storytelling. Audiences will also experience Boléro, perhaps Ravel’s most instantly recognizable work, famous for its hypnotic, repeating Spanish-inspired melodies and driving snare drum rhythm. Completing the lineup is Ravel’s celebrated orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, showcasing the composer’s remarkable ability to transform piano music into vivid, colorful orchestral textures.
Ravel’s 150th birthday has sparked celebrations in concert halls worldwide this year, with orchestras such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra marking the milestone in January 2025, the New York Philharmonic presenting a world premiere in March, and universities like Virginia Tech and Marshall University hosting faculty recitals and tributes in September. The Plainfield Symphony Orchestra’s performance is part of this global homage, bringing the French master’s timeless music to the heart of New Jersey.
Tickets are available through the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra website or at the box office on the day of the concert. Attendees can expect an engaging, elegant, and energetic evening of music that will delight classical enthusiasts and newcomers alike, making it a must-see cultural event in Central Jersey this fall.
For more information and ticketing details, visit Explore New Jersey’s event page.
