February 17-23, 2005

music

soundadvice

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
One of the most pervasive trends of 20th-century music was neoclassicism, revered by composers for its intellectually bracing and structurally lucid framework. The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, conducted by Ignat Solzhenitsyn, neatly illustrates the trend, with neoclassical works by Britten and Schoenberg, as well as the real deal, 18th-century music by Mozart and Haydn.
--Peter Burwasser
Sun., Feb. 20, 2:30 p.m.; Mon., Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.; $23-$78, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999, www.chamberorchestra.org.

Griffin House
Anyone who can hold his own opening for an onstage dazzler like fellow Ohioan Joseph Arthur — as Griffin House (right) did quite nicely in November at the World Café — gets my vote. Influenced by everyone from Dylan to Pavement, the 25-year-old guitarist/singer-songwriter has a penchant for introspective folk-rock songs that explore the divinity and darkness of the human heart.
--Nicole Pensiero
Sat., Feb. 19, 10 p.m., $10, with Common Rotation, The Point, 880 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 866-468-7619.

Vinny Golia
If you can blow into it, Vinny Golia will play it. The composer/multi-instrumentalist favors the extreme ends of the tonal spectrum, playing with a quiet intensity that often seems so deeply introspective as to resemble the most impenetrable meditative state. This rare trip to the East Coast gives the rest of us a chance to peer into the depths.
--Shaun Brady
Tue., Feb. 22, 8 p.m., $10-$12, Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut St., 215-222-9050, www.slought.net.

Sound Tribe Sector 9

With mixed and mingled elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica, Sound Tribe Sector 9 has found an audience on the edge. The next-generation jam band will be joined by underground group The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, DJ Fakts One).
--Deesha Dyer
Thu., Feb. 17, 9 p.m., $16, Theater of Living Arts, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

Spiritual Seven Gospel Singers
The Spiritual Seven will demonstrate their soulful, high energy Motown singing style while serenading the brunch-goers with a musical blessing in honor of Black History Month.
--Deesha Dyer
Sun., Feb. 20, 11 a.m., $15-$30 includes brunch buffet, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

The Molinaro-Levy Project
Anthony Molinaro specializes in classical and jazz piano. Howard Levy plays jazz/world/classical and whatever he imagines on harmonica — witness his work as one of the original Flecktones, and studio stints with musicians as diverse as Pete Seeger and Paquito D'Rivera. These Chicago-based virtuosi jump from Ellington to classics to hymns, so expect an imaginative evening at the Art Museum.
--Mary Armstrong
Fri., Feb. 18, 5 p.m., $10, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. and The Parkway, 215-763-8100.

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