MUSIC

Helping a Friend: Composer Ned Rorem has done more than just sympathize with his friend, pianist Gary Graffman, who suffers from a mysterious malady in his right hand that hampers his playing. Rorem has written a left-hand concerto for him. The work will have its world premiere tonight with Andre Previn conducting at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia--and featuring Graffman at the piano. They will present Rorem’s Piano Concerto No. 4 (for Left Hand) again Friday night at New York’s Carnegie Hall.