(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony Principal Bassoon Robert Wagner gives the East Coast premiere of Christopher Rouse’s Bassoon Concerto, April 8–10. Music Director Xian Zhang conducts the program, which also features Nokuthula Ngwenyama’s Primal Message, Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony and Rossini’s Overture to Guillaume Tell.

Performances take place April 8 at 8:00pm and April 10 at 3:00pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and April 9 at 8:00pm at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. Tickets are available online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

The New Jersey Symphony co-commissioned Rouse’s concerto from the late composer for the 2019–20 season to honor Wagner’s 40th season with the orchestra. The Symphony postponed its performances of the work from originally scheduled concerts in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a review of the concerto’s premiere with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch called the work “a resounding success … The concerto started out playfully, moved into mystery, explored some jagged rhythms; there were dialogues with those other bassoons, with the winds, the harp and other instruments, for an engaging whole.”

Zhang and the New Jersey Symphony gave the East Coast premiere of Ngwenyama’s Primal Message in April 2021 in EMERGE Part 1: An NJSO Concert Film, produced by DreamPlay Films. The film is available on demand at njsymphony.org/emerge.

All New Jersey Symphony performances follow safety measures in partnership with the venues and based on the guidance provided by the CDC and the State of New Jersey.

Zhang Conducts Mozart’s ‘Jupiter’

Friday, April 8 at 8:00pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

Saturday, April 9 at 8:00pm | Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank

Sunday, April 10 at 3:00pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark

Xian Zhang conductor

Robert Wagner bassoon

New Jersey Symphony

Nokuthula Ngwenyama Primal Message

Mozart Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”

Rouse Bassoon Concerto (East Coast Premiere, New Jersey Symphony Co-Commission)

Rossini Overture to Guillaume Tell

Photo by Fred Stucker

The New Jersey Symphony will redefine what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. Through adventurous performances, hands-on educational experiences and robust community programming, we encourage everyone to enjoy the power and creativity of orchestral music in all its forms. Across genres and venues, for audiences of all walks of life, we strive to bring music that’s meaningful to you, to you.

As we look toward celebrating our centennial, we are renewing our deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be new; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization—all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.

Our expansive educational offerings—including our youth orchestras, masterclasses and virtual learning opportunities—will build the next generation of listeners and musicians and help students grow, both musically and personally. And we will continue to seek new ways to connect with all New Jerseyans, through programs that resonate with a variety of cultural and musical backgrounds, as well as digital innovations that make our orchestra accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.