SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Cellist Steven Isserlis joins the band for Schumann's Cello Concerto, op. 129. Also two symphonies: Bruckner's Symphony No. 3 and the world premiere of David Stock's short Symphony No. 4. Music geeks who follow the multiple versions of Bruckner's symphonies will take comfort in (or rail against) the 1873 version of this ennobling sonic behemoth. Also Sat May 1 at 8 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $12-$80.
FRIDAY APRIL 30
NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Ralf Gothóni conducts this fine ensemble in Respighi's nimble Ancient Airs and Dances and Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 7. In addition, the NWCO presents the Seattle premiere of Philip Glass' Tirol Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. Also Sun May 2 at 2:30 pm. Recital Hall at Benaroya, Third Ave and Union St, 343-0445, 8 pm, $20-$32.
SATURDAY MAY 1
OPUS 7
This resplendent vocal ensemble sings music by Northwest composers Stephen Chatman, Bern Herbolsheimer, John Muehleisen, Robert Scandrett, David Asplin, and Joan Szymko. Two premieres, None Other Lamb by Oregon composer John Paul and Yengshuo Quay by Philharmonia Northwest conductor Roupen Shakarian, round out the concert, which is dubbed "All Northwest." Pre-concert discussion with the featured composers starts at 7:15 pm. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 782-2899, 8 pm, $18/$20, students pay as able. SUNDAY MAY 2
MEDIEVAL WOMEN'S CHOIR
Percussionist Peggy Monroe joins singers Ann Glusker, Kathy Hanson-Mack, and Marian Seibert for "Pleyn Delite." This dramatic performance with music, poetry, and visual images recounts the lives of women in medieval cities, courts, and cloisters. Those under 25 pay five bucks. Town Hall, Eighth Ave and Seneca St, 652-4255, 1 pm, $5/$10.
SEATTLE JAZZ VESPERS
Ace bandleader and masterfully combustible drummer Clarence Acox brings his sextet along with some students from Garfield High School's renowned jazz program to this monthly series. There's a brief worship interlude, but the emphasis is swing, swing, swing. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave, 325-6051, 6 pm, free-will donation.
TUESDAY MAY 4
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Fun, popular favorites pepper this free performance: "Spring" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Purcell's Suite No. 1 from The Fairy Queen, a transcription of Chopin's "Mazurka," op. 7 no. 3, and some of the greatest music ever composed by an American, Aaron Copland's "Hoe Down" from Rodeo. There are morsels by Mozart and Tchaikovsky, too. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, 684-4757, 7:30 pm, free.
WEDNESDAY MAY 5
UPS SYMPHONY
I initially assumed this concert was an urban performance-art piece requiring lots of brown delivery vans, clipboards, and customer signatures. Instead, the University of Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra teams up with a couple of choral groups to mount Stravinsky's haunting choral masterpiece, the Symphony of Psalms. Schneebeck Concert Hall, University of Puget Sound campus, Tacoma, 253-879-3419, 7:30 pm, $6/$10.
