MUSIC . Music Picks

Prism Quartet

Fri., Nov. 21, 8 p.m., $16.50, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-569-8080, philadelphiachambermusic.org.


	print	email	reply	rss feed

Published: Nov 19, 2008

classical

The saxophone quartet format does not have access to the range of repertoire of, say, the string quartet. By necessity, such an ensemble must turn to the realm of the transcription, and on any given concert, there may be music of Bach, Gershwin or Scarlatti, which is precisely the case for the upcoming Philadelphia Chamber Music Society program of the Prism Quartet. But the Prism has not rested at this solution; they have actively and eclectically added to the repertoire via commissions and even new music from the players themselves. Prism has a terrific reputation and counts some of the most interesting composers working today as friends: This means that they are bringing forth not just good saxophone quartet music, but good music period. This Friday's show includes a world premiere by Pulitzer Prize-winner Bernard Rands, a local première of music by Augusta Read Thomas and two fascinating works written for Prism that are now a part of their regular rotation, from James Primosch and Martin Bresnick. Bresnick, one of the most influential composition teachers of our time, has fashioned a loving homage to his own great teacher, the late György Ligeti, appropriately filled with both humor and beauty.

Fri., Nov. 21, 8 p.m., $16.50, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin Parkway, 215-569-8080, philadelphiachambermusic.org.