THE CAPITAL PHILHARMONIC of NEW JERSEY
Oh God…Beautiful Machine
In October 2025, CPNJ will open its season with Oh God…Beautiful Machine — a groundbreaking fusion of symphonic jazz, poetry, and visual art. This world premiere by composer Vince di Mura, with text by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa, will feature nearly 100 musicians, a jazz ensemble, and multimedia elements.
The concert celebrates the vibrant intersection of genres while addressing themes of humanity as we relate to and appreciate the blessing of our planet earth. It will be a landmark festival-style event for Trenton’s cultural landscape including pre-concert performances, a pre-concert lecture by the composer, vendor tables and art on display. This concert will attract audiences from across the region and beyond.
Vince DiMura & Yusef Komunyakaa Photo by: A.Wilkinson
In Memory of Larry Hilton
This premiere is dedicated to the memory of Larry Hilton, a visionary arts advocate whose generosity and passion for music made this project possible. Larry was a steadfast supporter of Trenton’s cultural community, serving on arts boards and championing projects that brought world-class artistry to the city.
His belief in the transformative power of music led him to commission Oh God…Beautiful Machine, ensuring that its ambitious fusion of symphonic orchestra, jazz and poetry would come to life. His legacy will resonate not only in this performance but in the continued growth of the Capital Philharmonic and the vibrancy of the arts in Trenton.
Paintings by Mel Leipzig
Larry Hilton
Vince DiMura
Yusef Komunyakaa
SPONSORSHIP
This opening night concert has many sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, community organizations and individuals. The concert will be a landmark festival-style event with vendor tables and art on display. Would you like a vendor table for your business or non-profit?
Click on the PDF links below.
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Cover art by John Gummere
Event Location
Oh God...Beautiful Machine
Performance Details
Saturday, October 25th, 2025 7:30 pm
5:30 PM - Doors open, view vendor tables and artwork
6:00 PM - Pre-concert performances in the Patriots Theater
6:45 PM - Pre-concert lecture in the Patriots Theater
7:30 PM - Concert
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
The Program
Commissioned by the late Lawrence M. Hilton, Oh God…Beautiful Machine is a powerful new work by Princeton University composer Vince di Mura and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa.
Conducted by Sebastian Grand. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we premiere Oh God...Beautiful Machine — a genre-blending symphonic celebration of the Earth. Featuring jazz, classical, and Chinese influences with a choir and song. (This piece is approx. 90 minutes). There will be a brief intermission.)
Arrive early for festival-style fun:
• Live music and vendor tables
• Pre-concert talk with the composer
• Pre-concert performance
• Subscribers get VIP access to the exclusive post-concert.
