CLASSICAL
by Christopher DeLaurenti


THURSDAY 8/23

AMY DENIO/YOKO MURAO--See Stranger Suggests. Avant multi-instrumentalist/composer Amy Denio and choreographer Yoko Murao collaborate on Tasogare ("Twilight"), a performance set around (and maybe atop?) Isamu Noguchi's famed Black Sun sculpture in Volunteer Park. A notable ensemble of local Butoh-inspired dancers (Joan Laage, Fumi Murakami, dk pan, and Ines Wilczewski) join Denio and violinist Eyvind Kang, who will be accompanied by the conch shell choir (!) of Dave Knott, Susie Kozawa, Mike Shannon, Stan Shikuma, and William Satake Blauvelt. Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E Prospect, outdoors in Volunteer Park, 368-5645, 8 pm, free. Also Fri 8/24.


SATURDAY 8/25

ORCHESTRA SEATTLE--Conductor Justin Cole leads a performance of Baroque favorites, including the music of Corelli (I'm told one of the tried and true Concerto Grosso op. 6, but they haven't decided which one yet) and Bach's magnificent Brandenburg Concerto no. 5. Of course, you can't serve up Baroque favorites without Vivaldi, so they're doing one of his umpteen million concertos, La tempesta di mare ("The Storm at Sea") with Svend Rønning as the violin soloist. The concert concludes with one of Bach's cantatas, Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen ("Rejoice, all ye spirits"). Recital Hall at Benaroya, 200 University St, 628-5208, 8 pm, $15-$20.


SUNDAY 8/26

OLYMPIC CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL--For a concert titled "The Sounds of Eastern Europe" a passel of musicians perform Kodaly's Duo for Violin and Cello, op. 7 and Smetana's Trio in G Minor for Piano and Strings, op. 15, and Dvorak's Quartet in E Flat Major for Piano and Strings. Some will bemoan the absence of Bartok, but Kodaly's music deserves a wider hearing and will do just fine, so behave yourself. The Barn, Center Road, Quilcene, WA, (206) 527-8839, 2 pm, $14-$24. Also Sat 8/25.


MONDAY 8/27

JOSEPH ADAM--Before the record player became a household appliance, symphonies, sonatas, and string quartets were transcribed--and in some cases rewritten--so people could play them on the keyboard. Delving into the overlooked repertory of organ transcriptions, organist Joseph Adam will exhume pieces transcribed for the organ from the last 200 years. Like the cover versions of popular songs today (e.g. early-period Van Halen's Dancing in the Streets) these pieces will probably charm or appall depending on your affection for the original. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 215-4747, 12:30 pm, free.

BYRON AU YONG--At a rehearsal three years ago, I watched Byron Au Yong assume control of a chamber ensemble by taking a deep breath and proffering a calm smile. His music is like that too, apparently serene but with a surprisingly commanding undertow. Drawing from the physicality of Chinese folk music and the philosophy of martial arts, Au Yong's music fuses drumming and vocalizing into tensile acoustic soundscapes. Club I-Spy, 1921 5th Ave, 9 pm, $6.



OUT OF TOWN

PLEASURE FOREVER, VI FOOT SLOTH, THE LOST KIDS: Thurs Aug 23, Blackbird, Portland

MACEO PARKER, Fri-Sat Aug 24-25, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC

FENIX TX: Fri Aug 24, Croation Cultural Center, Vancouver, BC

BARBARA MANNING: Fri Aug 24, The Shop, Spokane

JACK JOHNSON, BEN LEE: Fri Aug 24, Barbati's Pan, Portland

FASTER PUSSYCAT, BRITISH STEEL: Sat Aug 25, Satyricon, Portland

BOCEPHUS KING, SPLIT LIP RAYFIELD: Sat Aug 25, Railway Club, Vancouver, BC

HIM: Sun Aug 26, Starfish Room, Vancouver, BC

PAN, NEKO CASE: Mon Aug 27, Berbati's Pan, Portland

JOHN PRINE, TODD SNYDER: Mon Aug 27, Mount Baker Theatre, Bellinham

BUTT ROCK FESTIVAL: Tues Aug 28, DV8, Portland

2 LIVE CREW: Tues Aug 28, Double Dribble, Spokane

REBECCA GATES: Tues Aug 28, Starfish Room, Vancouver, BC