New Philadelphia Classical Symphony

Fri., May 9, 8 p.m., $15-$35, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 22nd and Spruce streets, 610-664-8481, classicalsymphony.org.

by Peter Burwasser

classical

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It is pretty much impossible to assemble a concert of typical American music these days. The field is just way too big and diverse, and this is a good thing. For the all-American closer of the New Philadelphia Classical Symphony season, director Karl Middleman has chosen music that represents a European style as filtered through the American experience. That is, the formal structure of the music is old world, while the details and accents are new world. The American influence in the music of David Diamond, Thomas Canning and, especially, Leonard Bernstein, may be heard in an open sound studded with glimmers of folk, jazz and church music. This concert will also feature a première of a work for which the composer can claim special bragging rights as American music. Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate is a member of the Chickasaw tribe, and his new work, Rounds, is derived from native sources. Tate will speak about his work in a talk that will precede the concert by one hour.

Fri., May 9, 8 p.m., $15-$35, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 22nd and Spruce streets, 610-664-8481, classicalsymphony.org.