Classical

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

This venerable, versatile band has never sounded better, thanks to conductor Ignat Solzhenitsyn. Check them out in this exciting all-20th-century program of Harbison, Stravinsky, Persichetti and Berg.

Sept. 28, 30, Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St., 215-545-1739, www.chamberorchestra.org.

Music for saxophone quartet has found an important niche in the world of new music, and we have one of the best exemplars here in Philly. Prism opens their season with a clutch of new works.

Sept. 30, Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St., 215-438-5282, www.prismquartet.com.

This local ensemble of world-class chamber music players seems to have been around forever. The season opens with guest soloist Jennifer Montone, the extraordinary new French horn principal from the orchestra.

Oct. 1, Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 215-438-4027.

Maestro Eschenbach is especially alluring with works that call for a sensuous sensibility. The music of Debussy certainly fits the bill; we get both "Ibéria" and "La Mer." Also, Midori, playing the rarely heard Britten Violin Concerto.

Oct. 4, 5, 6, Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1955, www.kimmelcenter.org.

A typical 2001 outing is an extraordinary one. Here we have a rare performance of Kurt Weill's Violin Concerto; new music by the exciting American composer Steve Mackey; and one of the most important pianists of new music, Gilbert Kalish, playing the spellbinding Oiseaux Exotiques by Messiaen.

Oct. 6, Perelman Theater.

La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra   (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

One of the world's great opera-house orchestras comes to town with one of the world's great tenors. Ben Heppner sings Wagner; Riccardo Chailly conducts.

Oct. 12, Verizon Hall.

Lipkin represents an important link in the history of piano playing, with warm, deeply felt playing that reaches back to the golden-age practitioners of the past — in particular, his teacher at Curtis, the legendary Horszowski. A recital of Haydn, Bach, Debussy and Brahms.

Oct. 17, American Philosophical Society, 427 Chestnut St., 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Here is a concert of nature-inspired music from the Baroque, appropriate to a group with a name that means "storm at sea" in Italian. This vital South Philly-based band brings us works that precede the storms of Beethoven and Stravinsky.

Oct. 20, St. Mark's Church, 1625 Locust St., 215-755-8776, www.tempestadimare.org.

Count on this vital organization to present the very best of the new generation of performers. Violinist Korbinian Altenberger will play a quartet of pieces, joined in the Prokofiev double sonata by none other than Midori.

Oct. 11, Trinity Center, 2212 Spruce St., 215-735-6999, www.astralservices.org.

Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful voices of our time. Dame Kiri is calling this her farewell tour. Say it ain't so!

Oct. 24, Verizon Hall.

Flemish renaissance composers were vitally influential for generations to come. Here is a generous sampling of music from the Low Countries, as performed by this superb early music ensemble.

Oct. 26, St. Mark's Church; Oct. 27, Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave., 215-235-8469, www.piffaro.com.

Conductor Karl Middleman has a knack for putting together interesting programs and first-class soloists. Here we have two terrific hometown talents, soprano Julianne Baird and trumpeter Darrin Kelley, with music new and old, and a treat of both at once in a Scarlatti cantata.

Nov. 2, Trinity Center, www.philly.cmagic.com.

The last "Flying Solo" concert from Network was a stunning display of both musical ingenuity and virtuosic playing. Expect no less for this one.

Nov. 11, Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 215-848-7647, www.networkfornewmusic.org.

The acclaimed principal oboist of the orchestra has gathered up some buddies to noodle around with, including a pianist/conductor by the name of Christoph Eschenbach, with whom he collaborates on a regular basis.

Nov. 14, Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust St., 215-893-5261, www.curtis.edu.

Valery Gergiev: Kirov Orchestra   (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

This all-Stravinsky program from the astonishingly dynamic conductor Valery Gergiev promises to be memorable. Included is the ever-bold "Rite of Spring."

Nov. 30, Verizon Hall.

The Salon Series is a wonderful retro musical experience, modeled after the coffeehouse experience of the 18th century: informal, and including food and drink. Really good music-making, to boot.

Dec. 8-9, Carpenter's Hall, 320 Chestnut St., 215-487-2344, www.philomel.org.

Antonio Pappano, director of London's Covent Garden, is one of the most enticing conductors on today's scene. He makes his Philly debut with Russian music of Rachmaninoff, Glinka and Prokofiev.

Dec. 13-15, Verizon Hall, www.philorch.org.

(p_burwasser@citypaper.net)