NJArts.net previews George Manahan’s return to the New Jersey Symphony stage

Nov 14, 2022

Former New Jersey Symphony Interim Music Director George Manahan spoke to NJArts.net to discuss the performances he is conducting with the orchestra during the November 17–20 weekend in Newark, Morristown and New Brunswick.

The process began as an open dialogue. The orchestra approached him with the idea of conducting the New Jersey premiere of “Rounds” for piano and string orchestra by American composer Jessie Montgomery. The solo piano work was commissioned by the Art of the Piano Foundation specially for pianist Awadagin Pratt, who premiered it in South Carolina, in March.

 

“I immediately said, ‘Yes, absolutely!’ ” laughs Manahan, who has worked with both artists before. “It’s always fun to be doing a new work. This will be my first time doing it, and it’s very cleverly put together.”

NJArts.net

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