April 22-28, 2004

musicpicks

Nexus

Classical

From the stereotype of the jaded orchestra player rousing himself out of a slumber to jingle the triangle, to the image of the drugged-out, dopey rock drummer, percussionists get no respect. It isn't fair. The array of sounds at the percussionist's disposal is without rival, and the level of skill required can be extraordinary. At the height of the art form is the Toronto-based percussion ensemble Nexus, who will be in town this weekend for one performance only. For two locally trained members this will be a bit of a homecoming, having been absent from local stages since a Philadelphia Orchestra appearance with Nexus in 2001. Their program at the Bride will include African- and Caribbean-inspired music from their latest self-released album, Drumtalker, as well as music by P.D.Q. Bach and a seminal work not just of the percussion repertoire, but of music generally of the past generation, Steve Reich's dazzling "Drumming." Reich, by the way, is himself a trained percussionist, but nobody seems to hold that against him.

Sat., April 24, 8 p.m., $25, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914.

—Peter Burwasser