The New Jersey Symphony deliver a ‘patriotic’ outdoor concert in Jersey City
Despite the threat of excessive heat, the New Jersey Symphony held its first summer outdoor concert at Liberty State Park in Jersey City on Sunday, June 29, with Colton Conducting Fellow Gregory D. McDaniel conducting works from various composers like Mozart, Rossini and Florence Price. James C. Taylor of NJ Advance Media braved the heat to review the performance.
The highlight of the concert was a passage of composer Florence Price’s music titled “Silk Hat and a Walking Cane.” Price’s music is finally getting heard more widely these days, and this short piece (written for solo piano in 1953 and adapted for a full orchestra after her death by composer William Grant Still) is a reminder of how wonderfully American Price’s compositions are. Under McDaniel’s baton, you could hear a nostalgic, pastoral (almost Copland-esque) lilt to this piece, as well as a distinct urban, bluesy jazz quality. Listening to it with the New York skyline behind the band only added to its evocative power recalling 20th century Americana.
James C. Taylor of NJ Advance Media