SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Gerard Schwarz conducts the world premiere of Bright Sheng's The Phoenix for soprano and orchestra, Busoni's Turandot Suite, op. 41, and Beethoven's Third Symphony, better known as the "Eroica." The powerful and fabulous Jane Eaglen is the soloist in The Phoenix. Also Sat Feb 7 at 8 pm. There's a shorter concert Sun Feb 8 at 2 pm without Eaglen and The Phoenix. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $12-$80.
GONZALO RUBALCABA
My father, a longtime professional pianist, is rarely impressed by other piano players. Recently, he extolled Rubalcaba, describing this Latin jazz firebrand as "an absolutely unbelievable live performer; he just tears up the piano." Also Fri-Sat Feb 6-7 with sets at 8 pm and 10:15 pm, as well as Sun Feb 8 at 6:30 and 8:45 pm. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave, 441-9729, sets at 8 and 10 pm, $20.50-$22.50.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6
AMM IN 5.1
Once the exalted progenitors of freely improvised music, AMM have probably converted more listeners (including yours truly) to free improvisation than anyone else. Since their debut in the mid-1960s, AMM have sought to escape the shackles of a steady groove and predictable instrumental textures by supplanting those sonic narcotics with unpredictably turbulent and surprisingly tranquil sonic exploration. Anomalous Records, an underappreciated local treasure, presents a 5.1 surround-sound recording of AMM's 1972 London performance at the International Carnival of Experimental Sound. It ain't live, but it's AMM and that's good enough for me. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 8 pm, free.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7
ANONYMOUS 4
This foxy foursome, all specialist singers of medieval music, sells truckloads of records and sounds good, too. For their farewell tour, Anonymous 4 sing Latin and French songs of praise to the Virgin Mary. Town Hall, Eighth Ave and Seneca St, 325-7066, 8 pm, $20-$32.
TOM BAKER
In honor of his friend and musical colleague Matthew Sperry, Baker has composed a requiem for fretless guitar and tape. This in-progress piece samples and manipulates recorded performances from the fine bassist and musician who passed away last year. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 8 pm, $6.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10
ERIC RYNES
A formidable and foxy violinist, Rynes has concocted a daunting solo concert. Highlights include Bruno Maderna's Piece Pour Ivry, Kaija Saariaho's Nocturne, Iannis Xenakis' Mikka, and Anthemes 1 by Pierre Boulez. Also on the program, the intriguingly titled Two Essays on Omega Wave Production by P. Merriam Clark, and Kotoka Suzuki's Sift. Polestar Music Gallery, 1412 18th Ave at E Union St, 329-4224, 8 pm, $5/$10.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11
SEATTLE WOMEN'S JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Ranging from swing to Latin to bop and beyond, this 16-piece outfit plays new charts by its music director, Daniel Barry, as well as music by Gershwin and Seattle pianist Nelda Swiggett. Hotel Night Club, 2409 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253-383-1715, 7:30 pm, $5.
