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originally published: 04/24/2023 

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Garden State Philharmonic, under the direction of Conductor Diane Wittry, will perform “Bach to the Beatles,” a concert showcasing the influence of famous classical music pieces on modern day rock ‘n’ roll songs, on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College. Showtime is 7:30pm. Prior to the concert, Monmouth University Professor Kenneth Womack, a Beatles author and historian, will deliver an opening presentation at 7:00pm and will be available for a book-signing after the show.

Attendees will hear how Johann Sebastian Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 influenced the Beatles piece "Penny Lane" and enjoy the famous saxophone melody by Serge Prokofiev in the Romance of the Lieutenant Kije Suite, which was used by rock artist Sting in his song "Russians." The solo movement of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 was used by Eric Carmen in "All by Myself" and the chord progressions of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata were presented backwards in the Beatles song "Because." A highlight of the concert will be the New Jersey premiere of a Beatles Fantasy Concerto by Maxime Goulet and Eric Jones Cadieux, which will feature violin soloist Nicholas Pappone. Guest pianist Craig Ketter will also be performing with the Philharmonic for the evening.

“I am honored to be joining the Garden State Philharmonic for the ‘Bach to the Beatles’ concert,” said Womack, who also serves as the organization’s president. “I look forward to exploring the many ways in which the sounds of Bach, Beethoven, and other great composers continue to influence our culture even centuries later. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!”

The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts is located at 1 College Drive in Toms River, NJ. Tickets for “Bach to the Beatles” are available for purchase online.

Dr. Kenneth Womack, Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University, is the author or editor of more than 40 books, including a multivolume study devoted to the life and work of Beatles producer George Martin, and the bestselling books Solid State: The Story of Abbey Road and the End of the Beatles and John Lennon, 1980: The Last Days in the Life. He is the Music Culture columnist for Salon and host of the web magazine’s “Everything Fab Four” podcast. His latest project is the authorized biography and archive of Beatles road manager Mal Evans, due out in November 2023.

 

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