SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Gerard Schwarz, the Seattle Symphony Chorale, and the Seattle Symphony perform one of the greatest symphonies of all time, Beethoven's 9th. Excerpts of Schubert's incidental music to Rosamunde pads the rest of the program. Highly recommended. Also Sun Jan 2 at 2 pm. Benaroya Hall, Third Ave and Union St, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $15-$85.
DIORAMA
I have yet to visit Western Bridge's portion of the "Work of the Work" (WOW) exhibit, but fans of the avant should go to the Henry and hear South African artist Candice Breitz's installation Diorama (2002). I wish Breitz had camouflaged the eight DVD players inside period-authentic VHS or Betamax decks, but the mélange of sound and video culled from episodes of the late 1970s TV soap Dallas stirs up a mesmerizing sonic soup. J. R. Ewing (as in "Who shot J. R.?"), Lucy, Bobby (pronounced "Bobbeh"), Pam, and other characters spew spastically looped snippets such as "and have a baby" and "I love you sis" that mutate into creepy aural illusions like chants of "murder murder murder." WOW runs through February 6; on Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm, admission is "pay what you can." Henry Art Gallery, UW Campus, 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St, 543-2280, 11 am-8 pm, $6/$8.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 31
NON GRATA
This large free-jazz ensemble crashes into New Year's deep in the dreadlocked heart of hippie country. Just imagine once and future Deadheads twirling and twirling only to be sent sprawling to the floor by Non Grata's mutant mix of free ranging solos and massed, slashing forays into Dixieland, reggae, funk, country, and punk. With A Gun That Shoots Knives, who "sing songs about RoboCop, etc." and blues/soul act Coleman Brown. Blue Moon Tavern, 712 NE 45th, 545-8190, 10 pm, free.
NEW YEAR'S AT ST. JAMES
The Cathedral Soloists, Organists, and Chamber Orchestra present Henry Purcell's exultant Te Deum (1694), Handel's Dixit Dominus, and a concerto for two trumpets, timpani, and strings by 17th-century Bolognese composer Petronio Franceschini. Dress warmly, be discreet with the hooch, and keep your ears open for the bells. Call ahead if you want good seats. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 382-4874, 11 pm, students pay as able/$22 suggested donation.
SUNDAY JANUARY 2
ITALIANS IN LONDON
This cello recital features Baroque concertos composed by Italians living in London during the Georgian Era (1720-1780): Alexis Magito, Giuseppe Valentini, and Francesco Geminiani. Cellist Lee Inman performs on a five-stringed English violoncello piccolo built in 1722. Queen Anne Christian Church, 1316 Third Ave W, 725-8170, 3 pm, $8/$10.
TUESDAY JANUARY 4
DOUG HANING TRIO
Two-thirds of noise barrage trio BNSF, saxophonist Adam Diller and drummer Matt Crane, team up with pianist Doug Haning for some fiery, freely improvised music. The fleet-fingered Haning blithely dispenses twinkling runs in the piano's upper register as well as assertive comping in equal measure, so expect intricate, agitated interplay. Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave at E Union, 8 pm, $5 suggested donation.
