MUSIC

A Far Cry: At Odds — The Concerto Grosso

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024
7:30 PM

Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan

$34
TICKETS + INFORMATION

Boston string orchestra A Far Cry celebrates the Concerto Grosso, which (as I’m sure I don’t have to tell you) instead of highlighting a soloist as against the orchestra highlights an instrumental group. I personally wish they were starting with Corelli rather than Vivaldi, but the mulitudes who find that Venetian priest’s music invigorating rather than formulaic can go for it. I’m glad they’re recognizing Bloch’s contribution to this form, since his sprightly Concerti Grossi are rarely performed and put their composer in a particularly good light. There’s a world premiere of a Concerto Grosso by Jungyoon Wie, who frankly writes the kind of New Music that scares mainstream audiences away (their loss — but stay with me). And a Concerto Grosso by Errollyn Wallen, who if mainstream classical audiences weren’t such scardeycats would be as huge as any composer: catchy, well-crafted, winning music that stays individual, however evident its influences.

MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: As you may recall, the revivified Old John’s Luncheonette is right across the street.