The Rosenbach presents famed jazz pianist Dave Burrell, Feb. 20 & 23 February 20, 2008

The Rosenbach Museum & Library welcomes Philadelphia’s Dave Burrell, famed composer, jazz pianist and Musician-in-Residence to the museum on Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. Burrell will premiere Syllables of the Poetry of Marianne Moore, a series of new compositions commissioned by the Rosenbach. The series is inspired by the museum’s extraordinary collection of Marianne Moore materials and based on Burrell’s research into the life and work of the Modernist American poet and writer who was a central figure in New York Modernism.

In an intimate concert setting, Burrell will perform and discuss his new works, which serve as musical translations of Moore’s poems: What Are Years?, The Mind is an Enchanting Thing, Those Various Scalpels, and O To Be a Dragon. The compositions interpret Moore’s poetry in striking detail, often down to one musical note for every syllable in each poem. Upright bassist Michael Formanek, professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute, will accompany.

The performance is free with museum admission. Seating is limited and tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the performance. The Rosenbach Museum & Library is located at 2008-2010 Delancey Place and is open Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for children under 5. For more information, please call (215) 732-1600 or visit www.rosenbach.org.

Official Website: http://www.rosenbach.org