Coming up in Philly music: The Curtis Summerfest variety show

My favorite chamber music concerts are variety shows. There’s nothing like a program in which every item presents a different combination of instruments and musicians. The last three concerts on the Curtis Summerfest schedule are sterling examples featuring the Summerfest faculty. The instrumental combinations include oddities like bassoon, viola, and double bass along with more conventional groupings like piano and string trio. The musicians include familiar Philadelphia performers like flutist Mimi Stillman, pianist Charles Abramovic, and cellist Priscilla Lee. The composers range from Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and Brahms to moderns like Joan Tower and Elliott Carter. And the whole circus can be enjoyed for a mere $15 per concert.

Curtis Summerfest will present its faculty concert series on Friday, July 22; Friday, July 29; and Thursday, August 4 at 7pm at Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust Street, Philadelphia. Tickets are $15 and they’re available by calling 215-893-7902, and at the door.