(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony presents the 2023–24 season finale classical concerts featuring pianist Daniil Trifonov playing Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F, with Music Director Xian Zhang conducting four performances from Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9, 2024. Performances take place in New Brunswick, Princeton, Red Bank, and Newark.
The GRAMMY Award-winning Trifonov is a world-renowned pianist, and will play Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, the composer's follow-up to his famous Rhapsody in Blue. The Concerto in F has the same jazz influences in a more sophisticated orchestral structure. Also on the program is Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture, a medley arranged by Gershwin’s friend and assistant Robert Russell Bennett, with popular melodies including “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and others.
The Symphony will also present the world premiere of Autumn Days and Nights by Daniel Bernard Roumain, a New Jersey Symphony commission. Roumain, who also goes by DBR, is the Symphony’s Resident Artistic Catalyst and a composer, performer, educator and activist whose works include movie scores (Ailey, 2021) and i am a person who _____ Black people, another New Jersey Symphony commission.
Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra's website.
These concerts are generously sponsored by the UJA Benefit Concert Supporting Foundation, in recognition of the centennials of both the New Jersey Symphony and the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ.
Daniil Trifonov Plays Gershwin - Season Finale! New Jersey Symphony Classical
Xian Zhang conductor; Daniil Trifonov piano
New Brunswick → Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 7:30pm, State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Princeton → Friday, June 7, 2024 at 8:00pm, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton
Red Bank → Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 8:00pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
Newark → Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 3:00pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
* Gershwin/arr. Bennett Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture - Gershwin’s landmark opera spun off so many great tunes – “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and a dozen others will have you singing your way into summer.
* Daniel Bernard Roumain Autumn Days and Nights (World Premiere, New Jersey Symphony Commission) - The New Jersey Symphony premieres an all-new commission from Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain. A master storyteller, DBR will continue to wow New Jersey audiences with his genre-bending music.
* Gershwin Concerto in F - Proving he was way more than a one-hit wonder after his Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin poured the energy of Manhattan on a Saturday night into this sparkler for piano and orchestra. Superstar Daniil Trifonov wraps up our season with a bang.
Daniel Bernard Roumain’s commission is generously sponsored in part by Judith Musser.
The Emmy and GRAMMY Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its 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 a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization-all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities. Since 2021, Music Director Xian Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra's Resident Artistic Catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey.
Internationally renowned Chinese American conductor Xian Zhang began her tenure as the New Jersey Symphony's current Music Director in 2016. Since her arrival at the New Jersey Symphony, Zhang has revitalized programming with an industryleading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts.
