Source: The New York Times.
CHIARA STRING QUARTET (Tuesday and Wednesday) The Chiaras have made a name for themselves by playing their programs by heart. Whether that’s a gimmick or not is up for debate; this quartet is excellent regardless. As on their new release, they play the complete quartets of Bartok — odd numbers on Tuesday, evens on Wednesday. At 7 p.m., National Sawdust, 80 North Sixth Street, at Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 646-779-8455, nationalsawdust.org. (David Allen)
LOCRIAN CHAMBER PLAYERS (Friday) One of New York’s better-kept secrets, this erstwhile group performs only music from the last 10 years (or thereabouts) and does it in a room perched high in the tower of Riverside Church. On the bill this time are works by Derek Bermel, Elliott Carter, Jonathan Dawe and several others, performed by a team including the violinist Miranda Cuckson and the mezzo Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek, formerly of Anonymous 4. At 8 p.m., Riverside Church, 10th Floor Performance Space, Riverside Drive at 122nd Street, Morningside Heights, locrian.org. (Allen)
RITE OF SUMMER FESTIVAL (Saturday) Venture out from the ferry terminal on Governors Island on Saturday afternoon, and you are likely to bump into at least one of more than 60 percussionists who have fanned out across the Hills and may seem to be engaging in eccentric behavior. No need to be alarmed: Performances of John Luther Adams’s “Inuksuit” are always an immersive experience, as man-made rhythms intertwine with the sounds of nature. The percussionist Amy Garapic leads this performance, which includes Greg Saunier (from the indie band Deerhoof), Brian Chase (from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and a slew of percussion groups from the city. At 2 p.m., the Hills, Governors Island, riteofsummer.com; free. (da Fonseca-Wollheim)
Avant Music News 