October 7-13, 2004

musicpicks

Orchestra 2001

classical

For those unfamiliar with the music of George Crumb, the stage of the Perelman Theater for Orchestra 2001's all-Crumb concert will be a startling sight. The boards will be straining under the weight of two grand pianos and more percussion instruments than you can shake a drumstick at. This will be the backup band for the world premiere of "The River of Life," the locally based composer's latest edition in his American Songbook series. This installment is inspired by hymns, spirituals and revival tunes, no doubt including music that the composer absorbed growing up in West Virginia. The vocal soloist will be the composer's daughter, Broadway singer Ann Crumb.

The remarkable scoring, which produces a huge, densely textured sound, is something of a Crumb trademark, and it is not only used for the other American Songbook editions, but for a true modern classic, "Music for a Summer Evening." There will be more than a whiff of history in the air when this piece is performed tonight, as the pianists for whom it was written in 1974 take to the stage. One of them, James Freeman, also happens to be the music director of Orchestra 2001, and he will be joined by his longtime colleague, the distinguished American pianist Gilbert Kalish.

Thu., Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m., $24-$30, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

—Peter Burwasser