SEATTLE SYMPHONY
As part of its "Shostakovich Uncovered" festival, the SSO tackles the famed Russian composer's Symphony No. 13, subtitled "Babi Yar" after the infernal burial ground where 30,000 Jews were massacred outside Kiev. Ignat Solzhenitsyn, son of the novelist Aleksandr (The Gulag Archipelago) Solzhenitsyn, is the soloist in Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1. Also Fri Jan 24 at 8 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third & Union, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $11-$75.
PONCHO SANCHEZ LATIN JAZZ BAND
After the passing of Tito "El Rey" Puente, the title "King of Latin Jazz" has been up for grabs. It may be anathema to some to speculate that the California-based Poncho Sanchez is the top candidate, but his group has it all: tight charts, great soloists, and jaw-dropping percussionists. Do not miss this gig. Also Fri Jan 24 and Sat Jan 25 sets at 8:30 and 10:30 pm, and Sun Jan 26 with sets at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, sets at 8 and 10 pm, $20.50/$24.50.
FRIDAY JANUARY 24
MUSIC OF MYRA HESS
During World War II, pianist Myra Hess was brave enough to stage concerts amidst the raining bombs of the London Blitz. In honor of Dame Hess, a tag team assortment of UW pianists duplicate Hess' first concert of works by J. S. Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, and Debussy. Also, pianist Julie Ives premieres an as yet untitled new work, which presumably addresses one (or all) of the wars going on today. Brechemin Auditorium, UW campus, 543-3920, 8 pm, free.
SATURDAY JANUARY 25
BRAZILIAN GUITAR QUARTET
Until I revisited their CD of Bach suites, I had forgotten how exquisite and precise this quartet sounds. Expect these virtuosi to serve up music by baroque and Brazilian composers, as well as a few surprises. Guitarists should keep their eyes and ears peeled for Paul Galbraith's guitar, which is attached to a unique f-holed resonator. Recital Hall at Benaroya, Third & Union, 297-8788, 7:30 pm, $22/$28.
ADAM DILLER
Reed player, composer, and improviser Adam Diller presents small ensemble compositions that act as frameworks for improvisation. Diller has corralled several of our burg's most intriguing avant improvisers, including Gregory Reynolds (alto saxophone), Angelina Baldoz (trumpet), Jesse Canterbury (clarinet), and Bob Rees (vibraphone), so this should be a treat. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 8 pm, $6.
SUNDAY JANUARY 26
SEATTLE CHAMBER PLAYERS
If you can't be an immortal composer, hedge your bets and study with one. In a concert titled Beyond Shostakovich: Isolation and Transcendence, the SCP presents music by some of Shostakovich's renowned students: Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Sonata No. 2 for Solo Cello; Sofia Gubaidulina's Garden of Joy and Sorrow for Flute, Viola and Harp; Galina Ustvolskaya's Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano; and Schnittke's Piano Quintet. Pianist Ivan Sokolov performs some preludes by Shostakovich, too. Pre-concert talk by composer Gavin Borchert starts at 6:15 pm. Recital Hall at Benaroya, Third & Union, 286-5052, 7 pm, $12-$20.
