Grand Band

MUSIC
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 & 15, 2020
7:30 PM FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY

Peak Performances
Alexander Kasser Theater, Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey

$30
https://www.peakperfs.org/event/grand-band/2020-02-14/

A constellation of excellent pianists from the NYC contemporary classical/New Music scene aggregates into a great — OK, grand — band.  And they're playing one of those rare programs where every single piece is something to get really excited about.  The highlight has to be a newish piece by Missy Mazzoli (still living down having been called "Brooklyn's post-millenial Mozart" — but you know what?  there was a kernel of truth there) — with accompanying animation by Joshua Frankel!  But there's also Julius Eastman's Gay Guerilla:  how did the world miss the significance of Eastman's infusion of Minimalism with emotion and anger — a hitherto unimaginable mix — when he was alive?  And a piece by Kate Moore, who for my money is one of the very best composers of piano music now operating.  And, Grand Band's greatest hit:  Julia Wolfe's my lips from speaking, which takes a piano riff from Aretha's "Think" and runs with it.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT:  I doubt you can go out on Valentine's Day in Montclair any more than anywhere else.  But prime meatery Turtle + The Wolf, which wouldn't be out of place in Brooklyn, at least seems not to be imposing a fixed menu (as far as you can tell from their website).