THURSDAY 1/11

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--From the press release: "The Seattle Symphony's Meat the Beat program is designed to connect secondary school students with orchestral music." Since this all-Mozart outing (Symphonies Nos. 1 and 39, excerpts from Don Giovanni performed with the Inglemoor High School Choir) is on a school day, I guess they're encouraging America's youth to cut class. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, 10:30 am, $8.

FRIDAY 1/12

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--Those needing a Tchaikovksy fix have both my sympathy and my recommendation that they attend. The Violin Concerto in D, Op. 35; Capriccio italien, and the 1812 Overture are on the too-sweet and overly bombastic menu. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747, 8 pm, $15-$49.

SUNDAY 1/14

ORCHESTRA SEATTLE--Considering its large brood of musically accomplished offspring, Bach's household must have always been buzzing with music. In this concert, three harpsichordists--Carole Terry, George Shangrow, and Robert Kechley--round-robin through five pieces for harpsichord duo stemming from the clan: a pair of vibrant concertos from Dad (BWV 1060 and 1061), a sonata apiece from Willie and Carl, and a further concerto from one of Johann's star pupils, Johann Kirnberger. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 682-5208, 3 pm, $15-$20.

TOMASINI STRING QUARTET--The busy touring schedule of the Northwest's only period-instrument chamber group has allowed them only this local stop all year. Composers include birthday boy Mozart (String Quartet in G, K. 387, and the Piano Quartet in E-flat, K. 493), group namesake Tomasini (String Quartet in D), and Haydn (String Quartet in d, Op. 7 No. 2). Town Hall, Eighth and Seneca, 726-6088, 2 pm, $20 general, $16 seniors, $10 student.

WEDNESDAY 1/17

TOKYO STRING QUARTET--One of the most stunningly unified of quartets--at their best and at their worst they can sound like one player--the Tokyo Quartet visits town with a fine program of masterpieces that should all show off the group's fluid integration: Mendelssohn's charming Four Pieces for String Quartet, Op. 81; the tender Quartettsatz in c, D. 703, of Schubert; and Beethoven's dramatic Quartet No. 12 in E-flat, Op. 127. Meany Hall, UW Campus, 543-4880 or 292-ARTS, 8 pm, $30.

RADIO SHOWS
by Angela Garbes

FRIDAY 1/12

ROBERT FROST: SOUNDS OF THE RURAL--Oh you. You are so unique. You took the road less traveled, the one that has made all the difference. Now take some time to learn more about the complicated poet behind the simple person's favorite yearbook quote. This program will use poems to create an image of Frost as a "teacher, father, farmer, and observer of the world around him," a man lesser known for remarking, "I always hold that we get forward as much by hating as by loving." KUOW 94.9 FM, 10 pm.

EXCUSE ALL THE BLOOD--Heavy Metal experienced a bit of a renaissance back then with Headbanger's Ball, but have you seen or heard from it recently? Here it comes again, just as it should, crashing through your stereo on a Friday night. Welcome it with open arms. KAOS 89.3 FM, 1 am.

SATURDAY 1/13

MUSIC OF HAWAII--If you can't steal away to the islands, take an auditory vacation. Throw a cocktail umbrella in your glass, toss a lei around your pasty neck, lie back on your chaise lounge, and get mellow as Stephen and Clarice Gomes bring you the music, culture, and news of the islands. Don Ho should be so lucky. KBCS 91.3 FM, 1 pm.

SUNDAY 1/14

BATTLE OF THE BEST--Who reigns supreme, Al Green or Marvin Gaye? James Brown or Aretha? This show is doubly good, giving you an hour of songs by two giants of soul and R&B, and letting you vote for your favorite. Fax your choice to 888-225-SOUL. KSRB 1150 AM, 5 pm.

MONDAY 1/15

OLD SKOOL LUNCH--Shake it during your midday meal as KUBE 93.3 takes a well-deserved break from their eight-song playlist. Shellie Hart is your guide through this gem of a program, serving up hefty portions of classics such as Prince's "I Wanna Be Your Lover" and Cameo's "Word Up" to sustain you through the rest of your day. KUBE 93.3 FM, noon.

OUT OF TOWN

BOOM BAP PROJECT, DJ DESIGN, FOREIGN LEGION, MICRANOTS, ZION 1: Thurs Jan 11, Victoria Hall, Victoria, BC; Sat Jan 13, Berbati's Pan, Portland

IAN MOORE: Fri Jan 12, Ash Street Saloon, Portland

BOTCH, CAVE IN, THE THRONES: Fri Jan 12, Pine Street Theater, Portland

THE DIABLOTONES, 800 OCTANE: Sat Jan 13, Pine Street Theater, Portland

NEKO CASE & HER BOYFRIENDS: Sat Jan 13, Richard's on Richards, Vancouver, BC; Sun Jan 14, Thursday's, Victoria, BC

THE FARTZ, THE LEWD, STIFFNOIDS, SADO NATION, POISON IDEA: Sun Jan 14, Meow Meow, Portland

31 KNOTS, THE SWORDS PROJECT, CARISSA'S WIERD, COBRA HIGH: Tues Jan 16, Pine Street Theater, Portland

COCO MONTOYA: Wed Jan 17, Aladdin Theatre, Portland

THE JAYHAWKS, BLUE RODEO: Wed Jan 17, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

Headed to Portland? Visit www.portlandmercury.com.