The New Jersey Symphony presents Symphony Stars
- Concert to highlight five of the Symphony’s musicians
- World premiere of Darryl Kubain’s The Well of Urd – A Tone Poem for Three Soloists and Orchestra, a commissioned work by the New Jersey Symphony
- Program also features Bottesini’s Gran Duo Concertante, Bizet’s Selections from L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2 and Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville
- Music Director Xian Zhang conducts
- March 16–19 in Newark, Princeton, Red Bank and Morristown
- njsymphony.org
NEWARK, NJ—The New Jersey Symphony presents New Jersey Symphony Stars featuring five of the orchestra’s resident musicians – Eric Wyrick, Ha Young Jung, Chris Komer, Garth Greenup and Nayoung Baek led by Music Director Xian Zhang.
Darryl Kubain, a conductor and violinist with the Symphony, has commissioned a triple concerto that showcases the talents of Principal Horn Chris Komer, Principal Trumpet Garth Greenup and Assistant Principal Cello Nayoung Baek. Both the work’s title and movements are drawn from Norse mythology. “The Well of Urd is one of the three wells that lie beneath the roots of Yggdrasil, which is the World Tree,” Kubian explains. “It is where the three Norns weave the fate, the wyrd, of mankind.” The soloists come from different instrumental families to highlight their roles as the Past (cello), Present (horn), and Future (trumpet), respectively.
Gran Duo Concertante, written by Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889) in 1880, originated as a piece for two double basses in the 1840s when Bottesini was a student. Years later, when he toured with violinist Camillo Sivori, the two of them adapted the work for violin and double bass. Principal Bass Ha Young Jung joins Concertmaster Eric Wyrick for this thrilling showpiece that highlights the bass and violin during one extended and virtuosic movement.
The program also includes Selections from L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2 and begins with the Overture to The Barber of Seville. Prolific composer Georges Bizet (1838-1875) is widely known for many of his operas including Carmen. When L'Arlésienne premiered in 1872, the play failed, but Bizet’s arrangements of selections have endured as two of the most popular concert suites in the classical canon. The Barber of Seville by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) is one of the most familiar opera overtures in the repertoire. The catchy melodies of this overture perfectly set the tone for Rossini’s iconic comedic opera, now closely associated with the rendition produced by Warner Brother’s animated series Bugs Bunny.
Performances take place at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Thursday, March 16 at 1:30 pm, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton on Friday, March 17 at 8 pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Saturday, March 18 at 8 pm and Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on Sunday, March 19 at 3 pm. Tickets are available online at njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
More information is available at njsymphony.org/stars.
New Jersey Symphony Stars
Thursday, March 16, 1:30 pm | New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Friday, March 17, 8 pm | Richardson Auditorium in Princeton
Saturday, March 18, 8 pm | Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank
Sunday, March 19, 3 pm | Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown
Xian Zhang conductor
Eric Wyrick violin
Ha Young Jung bass
Chris Komer horn
Garth Greenup trumpet
Nayoung Baek cello
New Jersey Symphony
Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville
Darryl Kubian The Well of Urd – A Tone Poem for Three Soloists and Orchestra (World Premiere, New Jersey Symphony Commission)
Bottesini Gran Duo Concertante
Bizet Selections from L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2
New Jersey Symphony
The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony, celebrating its Centennial Season in 2022–23, is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. 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. 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 industry-leading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts. The centennial season opened in October with concerts featuring Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with soloist Yefim Bronfman; Jessie Montgomery’s Banner; Nimbus Dance performing original choreography to Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite; Strauss’ Burleske for Piano and Orchestra with soloist Michelle Cann; Brahms’ Fourth Symphony; and Dorothy Chang’s Northern Star. The centennial season will conclude in June 2023 with Zhang leading the orchestra and violinist Joshua Bell in Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and a commissioned world premiere by Daniel Bernard Roumain.
For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit www.njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra’s website.
Press Contacts
New Jersey Symphony / Local Press
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973.735.1715 | shornblower@njsymphony.org
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973.735.1713 | ganderson@njsymphony.org
Kirshbaum Associates / National & Classical Music Press
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