It's hard to imagine the last three-plus decades in New York's musical life without the venue Roulette. (But why would you want to, anyway?) The talent that this haven for new music has attracted for its birthday bash speaks for itself. The pairing of electronics with acoustic virtuoso performances is something of a theme: Mario Diaz de Leon's The Flesh Needs Fire—an item for ambient-metal noise, flute and clarinet—is played by the TAK ensemble; Jennifer Choi performs downtown composer Eve Beglarian's Well-Spent for violin and electronics; and young-gun cellist Mariel Roberts presents Tristan Perich's scene-stealing piece for 1-bit electronics and cello, Formations. The next-gen Robert Ashley interpreters in Varispeed take on the late composer's Love Is a Good Example. Pieces by Darius Jones and Jennifer Shyu complete the festivities.
