Dan Weiss

Rethinking the function of crescendo, giving a through-composed piece the oomph of polyphony, nudging monster-movie metal towards the academy – there are several unusual victories that make the drummer-composer’s new Fourteen so distinctive. With a shifting design that unites everything harp and glockenspiel to brass and reeds (don’t forget the three vocalists and their wordless chirping), Weiss puts intricacy in the foreground while assuring that grace has a spot at the table. The result is captivating large ensemble music that defines the term “sui generis.” It’s a beast – can he pull it off on stage?

Fri., April 11, 9 & 10:30 p.m.; Sat., April 12, 9 & 10 p.m., 2014