Philadelphia Classical Symphony

classical

The Philadelphia Classical Symphony began life with a very specific mission, namely, to present music of the 17th and 18th centuries on period instruments and in authentic style. Artistic director Karl Middleman pulled it off for many seasons with great skill and enthusiasm, but the expenses required to maintain a band of such rarified musicians proved too daunting, and the organization went into dormancy. Now, Middleman and the PCS are back, with a new calling: promoting concerto music of some of the less glamorous orchestral instruments with a series of commissions of new works. The "new" Philadelphia Classical Symphony embarks on the project this Sunday with a concert of music for trombone solo, including a world premiere of a concerto by Maurice Wright. The guest soloist will be one of the most skillful trombonists on the planet, Philly Orchestra principal Nitzan Haroz (pictured), who magically transforms his ungainly tangle of brass plumbing into an instrument of supreme elegance and dramatic range. The concert will also include music of Ives, Handel and Diamond.

Sun., April 4, 3 p.m., $15-$35, St. Luke’s Church, 13th and Pine sts., 610-664-8481.

—Peter Burwasser

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