THURSDAY MARCH 17
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
The ostensible attraction of this gig is the pianist Vladimir Feltsman, who is the soloist in Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. And though I love Beethoven, my ears perk up for Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique (1830), the first truly neurotic symphony. Also Fri Mar 18 at 1 pm, Sat Mar 19 at 8 pm, and Sun Mar 20 at 2 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $15-$85.
FRIDAY MARCH 18
ARTHA
This experimental chamber ensemble play Frederic Rzewski's "Spots" for any four players, interspersing the movements between other pieces. Artha shares the bill with Ego Band USA, a proggy jazz-rock duo, and "radical dance troupe" Bee Keepers. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union, 322-1533, 8 pm, $5-$15 sliding scale donation.
SATURDAY MARCH 19
TOMASZ STANKO QUARTET
What's a forward-looking jazz trumpeter to do? You can take the trumpet apart (literally) like Axel Dörner or Greg Kelley and make extended techniques (buzzing, multiple pinhole embouchure, unusual mutes, etc.) a natural part of your vocabulary. Or, you can find your voice somewhere inside the basics. Stanko, a Polish trumpeter, is blessed with a tender, sometimes reedy, sometimes pebbly, yet always lyrical, tone. His supporting trio incorporates weird little touches (knocking inside the piano, off-kilter rhythmic figures, purring bass notes) while remaining firmly cool, urbane, and resolutely straight-ahead. Stanko excels at ballads and mid-tempo numbers, making this gig an excellent dress-sharp date. Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333, 8 pm, $25.
SEATTLE CHORAL COMPANY
The SCC sing sacred concertos and settings from Russia's Imperial Court Chapel--not of Vladimir Putin (2000-present) but from Peter the Great (1672-1725) through the long reign of Catherine II (1762-1796). St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 363-1100, 8 pm, $8-$20.
SUNDAY MARCH 20
ORCHESTRA SEATTLE
George Shangrow leads the band in J. S. Bach's St. John Passion, not to be confused with the grander St. Matthew Passion. I haven't heard the St. John, but it's Bach with some fine soloists (too many to list here), so count me in. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 682-5208, 7 pm, $15-$35.
TUESDAY MARCH 22
RANDY HALBERSTADT TRIO
I like this group's shapely rendition of "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" on their recent CD, Parallel Tracks (Origin Records). Elsewhere on the disc, pianist Halberstadt burns it up on the jagged "Invitation." His sure touch, reminiscent of Herbie Hancock, shines throughout, most notably on Monk's immortal "We You Needn't." IKEA Restaurant, 600 SW 43rd St, Renton, 425-656-2980, 5-8 pm, free.
LAURA WEST
A jazz singer who draws upon the blues and cabaret in equal measure, West's voice reminds me of a fine Belgian ale. At first sunny and limpid, yet a few more sips reveal a rich flavor that makes me wonder why more people don't dig it. With the Eric Reed Trio. Also Wed Mar 23. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, 7:30 pm, $18.50-$20.50.
