November 13-19, 2003

musicpicks

Fresh Ink: Open Night

Classical

The second concert in Kimmel Center’s very promising Fresh Ink series includes music from five composers of highly diverse backgrounds and styles. Yet there is a common thread: Jay Reise, Jennifer Higdon, Lee Hyla, Eric Moe and Chen Yi are all artists who write music that is complex and entertaining at once. Audiences respond to this material in a visceral way, but there is nothing condescending about the musical language that is used. All of these composers have been heard by fans of Relâche and Network for New Music, and two are Philadelphians. Reise, who teaches at Penn, is best known for the audaciously colorful opera he wrote for the New York City Opera, Rasputin, which displayed his mastery of eclectic amalgamation. This evening will feature a world premiere from Reise, a sextet titled "Open Night." Higdon is another local favorite who is a quickly rising star on the international scene. Her "wissahickon poeTrees," a lushly beautiful evocation of a natural wonder here in Philadelphia, will be heard. New music champion J. Karla Lemon will direct an ensemble of local veteran musicians.

Thu., Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., $21-$26, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

—Peter Burwasser

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