Still going strong

Elliott Carter is celebrating his 100th birthday several weeks before the official day arrives on Dec. 11. After all, it takes a while to cover the prolific composer's 80 years of work. The New England Conservatory and local partners will present works from Carter's career, and tonight's NEC Celebrates Elliott Carter's 100th Birthday features the Pacifica Quartet performing String Quartet No. 3. The program also includes Beethoven's String Quartet, Op. 132, and Crumb's String Quartet No. 3. 8 p.m. $30, $20 students and seniors. Longy School of Music, 1 Follen St., Cambridge. 617-585-1122 www.newengland conservatory.edu/carter