New Jersey Symphony presents works by Jessie Montgomery, Mozart, Strauss

• New Jersey premiere of Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra by award-winning composer Jessie Montgomery, written for pianist Awadagin Pratt and inspired by T.S. Eliot’s epic poem Four Quartets
• Program also features Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony, Strauss’ Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
• Previous Interim Music Director George Manahan conducts 
• November 17–20 in Newark, Morristown and New Brunswick
• njsymphony.org

NEWARK, NJ—The New Jersey Symphony performs Jessie Montgomery’s Rounds for piano and string orchestra, composed earlier this year in collaboration with and commissioned for pianist Awadagin Pratt, November 17–20. George Manahan conducts the program, which also features Mozart’s Symphony No. 38,“Prague” and Strauss’ Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. George Manahan was the Interim Music Director for the New Jersey Symphony from 1983 to 1985. He returns to conduct for the New Jersey Symphony’s centennial season.

Performances take place November 17 at 1:30 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, November 18 at 8 pm at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and November 20 at 3 pm at State Theatre of New Jersey in New Brunswick.

Tickets are available online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).

Jessie Montgomery is a fast-rising American composer of solo, chamber, vocal and orchestral works. She is a recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award from the ASCAP Foundation and the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, and in October she was named Musical America’s 2023 Composer of the Year. At the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, she is in the midst of a three-year composer residency. Rounds, Montgomery’s first piano concerto, had its world premiere in March 2022 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, with Awadagin Pratt as soloist. The work, commissioned by Art of the Piano Foundation, “has a narrative flair and structural clarity that allowed the audience … to follow her every step of the way. Pratt’s imaginative, boldly profiled playing was the icing on the cake” (Boston Globe). This is the work’s New Jersey premiere. 

Enjoy a lively Classical Conversation starting one hour before the performances on November 18 & 20. Learn more about the music from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists and other engaging insiders.

More information is available at njsymphony.org/mozart

Jessie Montgomery & Mozart 

Thursday, November 17, 1:30 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark 
Friday, November 18, 8 pm | Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown
Sunday, November 20, 3 pm | State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick

George Manahan conductor
Awadagin Pratt piano
New Jersey Symphony

Mozart Symphony No. 38 in D Major, K. 504,“Prague”
Jessie Montgomery Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra
Strauss Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Op. 60

New Jersey Symphony

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 celebrate 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 orchestra, 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.

We’re your New Jersey Symphony, and we’ll be here for you.

The safety of our patrons, musicians and staff is of the utmost importance to the New Jersey Symphony. Please visit njsymphony.org for constantly updated details focused on attendees’ well-being at our performances.

Connect with Us:
njsymphony.org
@NJSymphony on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok
@NewJerseySymphony on YouTube
Email: information@njsymphony.org

The New Jersey Symphony’s programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

Press Contact

Geoffrey Anderson, New Jersey Symphony Vice President of Marketing & External Affairs | 973.735.1713 | ganderson@njsymphony.org

###