'HEARTLAND' BY OWEN PALLETT

Before wading into deeper waters, start with weekend headliner Pallett. Every track on the Toronto violinist's 2010 album, "Heartland," pulses with compositional diversity and pop vigor. Check out a few at Myspace.com/owenpallettmusic

  • Concert: 8 p.m. Fri., History Theatre.

'ESCAPE' BY JUDD GREENSTEIN

Brooklyn-based sextet yMusic will perform new works Saturday evening, including one by fellow Brooklynite Greenstein. For a warmup, check out this rhythmic 2006 viola piece, performed by yMusic member Nadia Sirota at NadiaSirota.com.

  • Concert: 5 p.m. Sat., at Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum.

'SPEAKS VOLUMES' BY NICO MUHLY

There must be something in Brooklyn's water. Another one of the borough's many creative residents on the festival's bill, Muhly comes from a diverse compositional background that ranges from choral to orchestral work. For his best string samplings, listen to this 2006 release. The emotive shifts of the viola composition "Keep in Touch" act as a perfect primer before his new work is showcased Saturday. Hear him at NicoMuhly.bandcamp.com.

  • Concert: 5 p.m. Sat., at Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum.

'INFRASTRUCTURE' BY ORANGE MIGHTY TRIO

Aptly described by City Pages as "maverick chamber music," this Minneapolis three-piece comprising a violinist, cellist and pianist dishes out compositions that dance between minimal construction and fervent bluegrass. Hear a few songs from their 2009 release, "Infrastructure," at OrangeMightyTrio.com.

  • Concert: 10:30 p.m. Fri., Artists' Quarter, St. Paul.