For a branch of the humanities that typically thrives on things harmonious, partisans of various musical genres tend to view one another with the suspicion of enemy camps in wartime. From criticism of Leonard Bernstein straddling the Broadway and “serious” musical worlds, to John Zorn being labeled “radical kitsch” for his hebraic-jazz “Masada” melange, some audiences are comfortable only with musical segregation. But cellist Yo Yo Ma, bassist/composer Edgar Meyer and fiddler/composer Mark O’Connor do not simply straddle musical fences, they bulldoze them. The trio’s new CD, “Appalachian Journey,” blends these virtuosi’s strengths and styles, from classical to bluegrass, into a musical statement at once substantial and accessible. “I like writing for individuals with really rich musical personalities,” says Meyer of his trio mates. And while O’Connor has studied the standard concerto repertoire, the violinist notes that “there are many artists who can cover that wonderful material. What interests me most about music is whether I can create something new.” The Ma/Meyer/O’Connor trio performs 8 p.m. Monday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. $30-$65. 312-294-3000.
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