THURSDAY 1/18

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--Soprano Jane Eaglen's beautiful voice, with its piercing, imperial tone, makes her a natural choice for Strauss. In this case the Four Last Songs and the closing scene from Salome. Amusingly, when the singer's offstage the Symphony will play orchestral Wagner: the Overture to Tannhäuser and chunks of Die Meistersinger's Act III. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747, www.seattlesymphony.org, 7:30 pm, $25-$77.

FACULTY ARTISTS RECITAL--The UW music staff put on a show, with a nice selection of unfamiliar chamber pieces including Hindemith's Trio for Heckelphone, Viola, and Piano and Ewazen's virtuoso Sonata for Trombone and Piano. A good chance to see if you're getting your money's worth sending your prodigy to the UW. Meany Theater, UW Campus, 543-4880, 7:30 pm, $10 general/$8 students & seniors.

SATURDAY 1/20

NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA--In a move that would probably have pleased the great Russian composer no end, Schnittke's eerily howling Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra has been sandwiched between two rather more hummable pieces: Mendelssohn's Concerto in D for Violin, Piano, and Strings, and Mozart's good-natured Symphony No. 29, K. 201. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 343-0445, 8 pm, $24.50 general/$20 students & seniors. Also Sun Jan 21, 2:30 pm.

TUESDAY 1/23

KAZUE SAWAI--I've never heard Ms. Sawai perform on the koto, but she comes with advance raves for her blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese classical music with jazz improvisation, which means this concert should have something to please everyone, which is not always a bad sign. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 7:30 pm, 292-ARTS, $22 general/$18 students & seniors.

RADIO SHOWS
by Angela Garbes

FRIDAY 1/19

THE MOUNTAIN'S A TO Z--In case you didn't know, 103.7 FM has been going through its entire music library alphabetically. As I write this, it has been a little over one week and I just heard "Mandolin Rain" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. Progress is slow and even the DJs admit that they have no idea when it will end. So why not tune in today to hear if it's all over? Maybe if you're lucky you'll catch "Zoom" by the Commodores. KMTT 103.7 FM, any time.

SATURDAY 1/20

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION--If you would like to remain an informed citizen, but cannot stand the idea of looking at George W. Bush's smug face through bulletproof glass on inauguration day, simply listen to three hours of coverage on NPR and focus instead on his thick Texas accent. The special program will feature the inaugural address and coverage from the Capitol and along the parade route. KUOW 94.9 FM, 8 am.

THE ROMANTIC HOURS--At the intersection of art and voyeurism lies The Romantic Hours with Mona Golabeck, coupling composers' music with "intimate readings of love drawn from their letters and diaries." Hear the music, hear the words, feel the passion. KBCS 91.3 FM, 11 pm.

SUNDAY 1/21

SINGLE CONNECTION--Are you having single's issues? Do you need guidance in your romantic life? If so, join Ben Young, "singles pastor at a large church in Houston" and "one of the most in-touch and outspoken authorities on singles' issues today," for this live talk show. Broadcasting from the studios of The Winning Walk Family, Ben has been joined by such esteemed guests as Josh MacDowell, Hugh Ross, and Dr. Laura Schlessinger. KLFE 1590 AM, 9 pm.

TUESDAY 1/23

ROOTS AND BRANCHES--A veritable smorgasbord of American and World music, including "bluegrass, Cajun, gospel and blues, Zydeco, swing, delta blues, old time string bands, country music, Swedish and Celtic fiddling, Klezmer tunes, or Tex-Mex!" Go on and glut yourself. KBCS 91.3 FM, 3 pm.

OUT OF TOWN

DEADBOLT, AL FOUL & THE SHAKES: Thurs Jan 18, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

ERIN McKEOWN: Fri Jan 19, Mt. Tabor Pub, Portland

UHF, THE BASEBOARD HEATERS: Fri Jan 19, Ash St, Portland

BEST OF PORTLAND SALSA CONTEST: Fri Jan 19, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

R. L. BURNSIDE: Fri Jan 19, Sugar Refinery, Vancouver, BC; Sun Jan 21, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

THE PRIDS, THE VISIT, STEREO CRUSH: Sat Jan 20, Meow Meow, Portland

COL. LES CLAYPOOL'S FLYING FROG BRIGADE, GALACTIC: Tues Jan 23, Roseland Theater, Portland

JAY FARRAR: Wed Jan 24, Roseland Theater, Portland

KEB' MO', WILLY PORTER: Wed Jan 24, Arlene Schnitzer Hall, Portland

ELTON JOHN, BILLY JOEL: Wed Jan 24, Tacoma Dome

SUPERDRAG, THE PUT OUTS, SPREAD EAGLE: Wed Jan 24, WOW Hall, Eugene

Headed to Portland? Visit www.portlandmercury.com.