December 2- 8, 2004

musicpicks

Comfort Music

classical

Ask high-end chefs what they eat for pleasure, and they might come up with some simple comfort food. Ask classical musicians what they play for personal pleasure, and most will naturally gravitate towards some kind of chamber music. In Philadelphia, one of the finest freelance communities in the world, chamber music is everywhere, if you look for it. The violinist you see on the stage of the Kimmel Center one night might be happily sawing away in some church the next day. That joy for music-making is what inspired two local institutions, 1807 and Friends, and the Philadelphia Trio, both ensembles largely populated by Philadelphia Orchestra players. Both groups play with a fresh, smart and impassioned energy that completely dispels the notion of chamber music as stuffy and elitist. And there is still plenty of room for guest musicians in this world, with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society as the major host for visiting players. This week, PCMS brings us the spectacular new music specialists Arditti String Quartet (pictured), in the exciting music of Nancarrow, Ryan, Ligetti and Lachenmann.

The Philadelphia Trio, Sun., Dec. 5, 3 p.m., $11-$15, Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 S. Valley Forge Rd., Devon, 610-664-0346. 1807 and Friends, Mon., Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., $15, Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 215-438-4027. Arditti String Quartet, Sun., Dec. 5, 3 p.m., $7.50-$15, Field Concert Hall, Curtis Institute, 1726 Locust St., 215-569-8080.

—Peter Burwasser