New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Presents: Best of Water

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will perform a musical showcase “Best of Water” at the Count Basie Theater Saturday night, the second program of its 2011 Winter Festival, the organization announced.

The orchestra, led by Musical Director Jacques Lacombe, will explore the vast musical landscapes the element of water has inspired. The Red Bank stop is one of seven venues where Best of Water is being performed.

The show begins at 8 p.m. and features several pieces, including Smetana’s "The Moldau," which, according to a release, evokes the winding Vltava River of his native Bohemia. Mendelssohn captures the rugged Scottish coast in "Fingal’s Cave." There is also a pair of Strauss Jr. pieces, including the "Blue Danube Waltz," as well as several other pieces that will be performed.

A special video presentation prior to the performance will showcase the ocean and its inhabitants. Beginning at 6:45 p.m., the short film was created by marine biologist and filmmaker Chris Wojcik, Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” shark-cam host.

Tickets range in price from $18 to $57 and are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). Pre-concert events are free to ticketholders.