Beethoven, much of it performed under music director Neeme Jrvi, will be the focus of the New Jersey Symphony's 2006-07 season.

The composer’s nine symphonies, of which Jдrvi will conduct five, will be performed during the 17-week season, which opens in Newark on October 20. Beethoven’s first and last symphonies will be performed October 20-24.

The orchestra is also continuing its presentation of Haydn’s twelve "London Symphonies"; the 2006-07 season includes Symphonies Nos. 93, 95, and 101 (“The Clock.”)

Other highlights include concerts of Jдrvi’s favorites, including lesser-known works such as violin concertos by Latvian composers Balys Dvarionas and Peteris Vasks, and a piece by Swedish composer Rolf Martinsson.

There will be several NJSO premieres during the season, including John Adams’s Shaker Loops and Rolf Martinsson’s A.S. in Memoriam, getting its first US performance.

On October 26-28 Jдrvi will conduct violinist Sarah Chang in Brahms's Violin Concerto. He will also lead the NJSO in its annual Winter Festival, which this year is dedicated to Russian Romantic composers.

Guest conductors for the 2006-07 season include Jun Mдrkl, making his NJSO debut; New York City Opera's George Manahan; Peter Oundjian; Baroque specialist Harry Bicket; and Andrew Litton.

In a statement, NJSO Chairman Victor Parsonnets said, “The transformed sound and heightened artistry of the orchestra under Neeme Jдrvi [is] absolutely incredible. The new season builds on this enthusiasm and will create an emotionally-charged experience for our audiences. We are confident that this momentum will increase in the 2006-07 season.”