(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony’s 2021–22 season finale features the world premieres of a pair of Symphony commissions—an innovative concerto for Principal Horn Chris Komer and jazz trio with movements by four leading jazz composers, and a work by Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain. Poetjournalist Aaron Dworkin performs his The American Rhapsody: Symphonic Variations on an African Air with music by Coleridge-Taylor. Music Director Xian Zhang conducts. Performances take place June 11 at 8:00pm at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank and June 12 at 3:00pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
Surreal Sketches for Horn, Jazz Trio and Orchestra features movements by Vivian Li, Christian McBride, Paquito D’Rivera and Gary Morgan. Each composer took inspiration from a Salvador Dalí painting or a painting he inspired. Li chose Dalí’s “Galatea of the Spheres,” McBride chose the artist’s “Soft Self-Portrait with Fried Bacon” and Morgan chose his “Metamorphosis of Narcissus”; D’Rivera’s “Dalí in the Tropics” draws on an Omar Corrales work inspired by Dalí’s art.
Pianist Manuel Valera, drummer Ismail Lawal and bassist Diallo House form the jazz trio joining Komer and the Symphony for the premiere.
The program opens with the world premiere of Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain’s We Shall Not Be Moved: Symphonic Scenes and Samples. Roumain’s work draws on music from his 2017 opera We Shall Not Be Moved, which focused on the legacy of the 1985 MOVE bombing.
Dworkin’s The American Rhapsody: Symphonic Variations on an African Air pairs music by Coleridge-Taylor with his own spoken word incorporating texts from George Washington. Gary Edison gives a voiceover introduction.
The program also features Gershwin’s An American in Paris.
Tickets are available online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
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.
More information is available at njsymphony.org/finale.
Season Finale: An American Rhapsody
Saturday, June 11, at 8:00pm | Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank
Sunday, June 12, at 3:00pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Xian Zhang conductor
Chris Komer horn
Manuel Valera piano
Ismail Lawal drums
Diallo House bass
Aaron Dworkin poetjournalist
Gary Edison voiceover actor
New Jersey Symphony
Daniel Bernard Roumain We Shall Not Be Moved: Symphonic Scenes and Samples (World Premiere, New Jersey Symphony Commission)
Various Surreal Sketches for Horn, Jazz Trio and Orchestra (World Premiere, New Jersey Symphony Commission)
Vivian Li “Galatea of the Spheres”
Christian McBride “Fried Bacon”
Paquito D’Rivera “Dalí in the Tropics”
Gary Morgan “The Metamorphosis of Narcissus”
Aaron Dworkin/Coleridge-Taylor The American Rhapsody: Symphonic Variations on an African Air
Gershwin An American in Paris
Bank of America is proud to sponsor the New Jersey Symphony Resident Artistic Catalyst. DBR as Resident Artistic Catalyst is made possible in part by Judith Musser.
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.
PHOTO: New Jersey Symphony Principal Horn Chris Komer. Photo credit Cherylynn Tsushima
