The bassoon is one of those instruments whose existence away from the orchestra seems limited to unwilling kids halfheartedly practicing for school recitals. Katherine Young is determined to save the instrument from its own neglected reputation, and the self-titled debut of her quartet Pretty Monsters is all the convincing anyone should need. Along with guitarist Owen Stewart-Robertson, violinist Erica Dicker and punk-jazz drummer Mike Pride displaying his most restrained aggression, Young offers material that ranges from severe chamber pieces to grinding sludge to stark pointillism. Aided by an arsenal of electronics, the group displays a diverse array of devastating approaches. Young, after all, has learned from some pretty outré masters, including jazz innovator Anthony Braxton and members of industrial pioneers Faust and Einstürzende Neubauten, and combined the harshest beauties of both in her own sound.

Wed., Sept. 19, 8 p.m., free, Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., arsnovaworkshop.com.