THURSDAY 11/8

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--I'm amazed that anyone in our song-addicted era still listens to Anton Bruckner, whose massive, oceanic symphonies attracted controversy and cultists in late 1800s Vienna. Even today, there are those who find transcendence in Bruckner's music. Maestro Schwarz and Co. tackle Bruckner's Fourth Symphony (dubbed "The Romantic") which, clocking in at close to an hour, will test even veteran ears. After bathing in Bruckner, you'll never hear songs the same way again. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $11-$71. Also Nov 9 at 8 pm.

SATURDAY 11/10

BACH AROUND THE CLOCK--This ten-hour marathon honors the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. A truckload of classical musicians perform the master's Fifth Brandenburg Concerto and assist in a staged performance of the cantata Selig ist der Mann. Dancers as well as jazz and folk musicians are also on the bill, a surefire recipe for some strange moments. Town Hall, Eighth Ave and Seneca St, 652-4255, 1 pm, free.

TUDOR CHOIR--Peter Phillips, director of the legendary Tallis Scholars, conducts the Tudor Choir in a concert of Renaissance-era vocal music. The Tudors sing music by the big guns of Flemish and English polyphony: Josquin des Prez, Clemens non Papa, Nicholas Gombertt, Robert Parson, Robert White and William Cornysh. St Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 322-3118, 8 pm, $15/$18.

SONICABAL--Think of it as Alcoholics Anonymous for experimental musicians, but louder and with the alcohol. The Sonicabal, a self-styled collective of sonic anarchists, celebrates the release of their second compilation cd with collaborations by inBOIL, Intonarumori, the Mutant Data Orchestra, Steve Barsotti & Dave Knott, Ffej, Jon Tulchin, and a host of others. Expect multifarious glimpses of contemporary sound art: skin-curdling noise, homemade instruments, perverted gadgetry, crackling electronics, and a smidgin of lowercase sound. Vital 5 Gallery, 2200 Westlake Ave, 254-0475, 8 pm, $8.

SUNDAY 11/11

SEATTLE CHAMBER PLAYERS--Avant pianist Stephen Drury joins the SCP in a grab bag of music by John Zorn, Laura Kaminsky, Charles Ives, and Paul Elwood. Zorn continues his adventure in concert music with Chimeras, a chamber piece featuring piano, percussion, and a virtuosic wordless soprano line. The fountainhead of all American mavericks, Charles Ives, is represented by the hymn-plundering Piano Trio. Kaminsky's The Full Range of Blue and Paul Elwood's Vigil for solo piano round out the program. Recital Hall at Benaroya, 200 University St, 286-2052, 7 pm, $19/$25.

WEDNESDAY 11/14

JAY CLAYTON--A master of extended vocal technique, Jay Clayton has sung with adventurous jazz groups and performed contemporary compositions (she's on the original recording of Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians). Clayton is a composer, too; she'll demonstrate her approach to composing through live improvisation. Jack Straw Productions, 4261 Roosevelt Way NE, 634-0919, 7:30 pm, free.

OUT OF TOWN

THE 604 HIPHOP EXPO

Thurs Nov 8-Sun Nov 11, various venues, Vancouver, BC

SPIRITUALIZED

Thurs Nov 8, Roseland, Portland

SLACK TIDE, STATIC BLOOM, MIRELLA ROPELLA

Fri Nov 9, Shoboat, Tacoma

PORTRAIT OF POVERTY, MILLHOUS

Fri Nov 9, Jay's Upstairs, Missoula

SLOAN, THE FLASHING LIGHTS

Fri Nov 9, Croation Cultural Center, Vancouver, BC

MISTERBLACKWATCH, TRIGGER HAPPY CAMPERS, THE TERI SHOW

Sat Nov 10, Shoboat, Tacoma

THE BUZZCUTS

Sat Nov 10, The Monkey Trap, Mukilteo

HANDANCE w/ GLEN VELEZ, BASSAM SABA

Sat Nov 10, WWU Performing Arts Center, Bellingham

JUXTAPOSE, STORM, CYPHEN

Sat Nov 10, Jimmy Z's, Everett

HARSH

Sat Nov 10, Go Club, Olympia

MYSTIK JOURNEYMEN, ABSTRACT RUDE

Sun Nov 11, Commodore, Vancouver, BC

REEL BIG FISH, REUNION SHOW, SUBURBAN LEGENDS, SUGARCULT

Mon Nov 12, The Met, Spokane

AGUA DULCE

Tues Nov 13, Mootsy's, Spokane

JIMMY EAT WORLD, TENACIOUS D, WEEZER

Tues Nov 13, Rose Garden, Portland