THURSDAY DECEMBER 29

SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Gerard Schwarz, the Seattle Symphony Chorale, and the Seattle Symphony perform one of the greatest symphonies of all time, Beethoven's triumphant Symphony No. 9. The 70-plus-minute length of this stirring work determined the duration of the compact disc, though some conductors canter through the piece in about an hour. "Gloria, in excelsis Deo" from the Mass in B minor and the Cantata No. 191 of J.S. Bach round out the program. Also Fri Dec 30 at 8 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $18–$85.

SALUTE TO VIENNA
The Elvis of his day, Johann Strauss Jr. (1825–1899) was hailed as the "Waltz King." He packed 'em in at arena concerts where he deployed armies of string players to churn out his hits such as "The Blue Danube," "Tales from the Vienna Woods," and "The Thunder and Lightning Polka." Expect something similar to those evil PBS AndrĂ© Rieu specials: good musicians, gooey dollops of schmaltz, and charmingly naĂŻve listeners savoring the "best" of classical music. Paramount Theatre, Ninth Ave and Pine St, 292-2787, 8 pm, $31.50–$78.

MATT CARLSON FAREWELL
Also billed as "Forbidden Singer-Songwriters Summit 2005," this gig features solo sets by Matt Carlson, best known for his work with Bonus and Schlaze Cubed, as well as na's Kazutaka Nomura and Jason Anderson of the recently asterisked noise barrage trio B**F. Bound for Portland, Carlson is part of a recent and regrettable exodus of adventurous musicians that includes Adam Diller's departure for the Southwest, saxophonist Gregory Reynolds's move to New York, and the relocation of Paul Hoskin to Astoria. The Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave, 441-5823, 10:30 pm, $5.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 31

GRETA MATASSA QUINTET
A superb and sassy vocalist, Matassa sings standards, old chestnuts, and snazzy originals. With guest vibraphonist Susan Pascal, whose fluid stick work and compact solos dazzled me at the December installment of the monthly Seattle Jazz Vespers series. Tula's, 2214 Second Ave, 443-4221, 9 pm, $35.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY
New Year's froth with Gershwin's Cuban Overture and the Piano Concerto in F along with two suites from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. I just pray that the soloists sing the parts of Riff, Bernardo, Anita, and other West Side Story protagonists non vibrato and with a suitably vernacular sneer. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 9 pm, $65–$350.

NEW YEAR'S AT ST. JAMES
The Cathedral Soloists, Organists, and Chamber Orchestra celebrate the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth with tons of the master's music, including "God Is Our Refuge," composed by the prodigy at the tender age of 9, a "Kyrie" for five sopranos written at age 16, the "Lacrymosa" from the unfinished Requiem, and much more. Dress warmly and be discreet with the hooch, though I plan to stay sober for the rarely heard "Adagio and Allegro" for mechanical organ. Call ahead if you want good seats. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 382-4874, 11 pm, students pay as able/$22 suggested donation.