MUSIC
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2*
7:30 PM

International Contemporary Ensemble
Mostly Mozart Festival
Gerald Lynch Theater, John Jay College
524 West 59th Street, Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan

$30
http://lincolncenter.org/mostly-mozart-festival/show/grand-pianola-music

ICE is certainly one of the very best New Music ensembles in the world.  That's not controversial.  What used to be controversial is the lead piece on this program, John Adams's Grand Pianola Music, which was denigrated at the time of its premiere for being  too catchy, if you can believe that.  Good thing we don't think like that any more.  Also on the program is a piece by George Lewis, whose composed classical music tended until recently to be perhaps a bit underappreciated relative to its quality (his nonpareil jazz work has always been justly revered) -- but not any longer, based on the number of performances his classical works have been receiving over the last several years.  When you hear it -- surprising, challenging, powerful -- you'll wonder why it isn't played even more often.  And a piece by New Orleans composer Courtney Bryan.  I'll confess I'm not familiar with her work -- but describe a piece as being for solo piano (played by the composer) and recordings of pop music plucked from YouTube, and I'm there.  The estimable-with-a-bulletQuince Ensemble (see Friday) does the vocals on Grand Pianola Music.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:  Le Soleil used to be one of the standout Haitian spots in the City.  It's not quite that anymore -- places like La Caye and Grandchamps have surpassed it.  But that doesn't mean it isn't still a perfectly good, enjoyable place to eat.