November 27-December 3, 2003

musicpicks

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Classical

Sometimes you go to a concert to explore new music. Other times, some exciting new artist may beckon. And then there are those shows that offer nothing more than sheer, easy pleasure. The program for this weekend's Philadelphia Orchestra concerts offers three pieces that are designed to engulf the listener with sensuous sound. Jennifer Higdon's stately "blue cathedral," which has been heard locally in performances by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, powerfully conveys the rich sense of color and edifice that is implied in the title. Ravel's "Piano Concerto for the Left Hand," to be played by Gary Graffman, is a marvelous marriage of silky French impressionism and American jazz. Wrapping things up will be music that might rouse the dead, the frantically ebullient Symphony No. 4 of Tchaikovsky. Rossen Milanov, the superbly talented and passionate young assistant conductor of the Orchestra, will be the maestro of ceremony.

Fri.-Sat., Nov. 28-29 and Tue., Dec. 2, 8 p.m., $25-$120, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

—Peter Burwasser

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