Classical

by Peter Burwasser

Jennifer Koh

Violin, with Simone Dinnerstein, piano, Feb. 5, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce sts., 215-893-1999. Kimmel Center's "Fresh Ink" series continues with two separate recitals, featuring a fascinating range of music from Elliot Carter, Ornette Coleman, George Crumb and more.

Piffaro

Feb. 6, Old Saint Joseph's Church, 321 Willings Alley, 215-235-8469. This enchanting renaissance wind band will present the exotic, intriguing music of colonial Mexico, which blends Spanish and Indian influences. They will be joined by the Swiss vocal group Ensemble Corund.

Anner Bylsma

Cello, Feb. 27, Kimmel Center, 215-569-8080. This is part two of Bylsma's survey of the complete solo cello music of Bach. Last season, part one featured a remarkable fusion of the baroque cellist's artistry and his liquid connection to this timeless, absolute music.

Ben Heppner

Tenor, March 7, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999. The true heldentenor, a stentorian golden-throated sort of singer, is a rare breed, and Canadian Heppner is the real deal. He sings Wagner's tenor roles as well as anyone on the planet, and, of course, will sing some of that material for his Philadelphia appearance.

Astral Artists

March 7, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St., 215-735-6999. Mendelssohn's Octet, which he wrote at the age of 16, is one of the miracles of the chamber music repertoire. It will performed by extraordinary musicians not far from the age of the composer. Also music of Beethoven, and a new work by Clancy Newman.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

March 11-13, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999. A potentially great Mahler cycle is underway. One of Eschenbach's interesting strokes is to program music somehow related to Mahler with his original works. This program includes the 10th Symphony of Shostakovich, the Soviet-era Russian composer who succeeded Mahler as an artist of often dark and outsized emotionalism.

Orchestra 2001

March 20, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 215-922-2190. A concert of Latin music from the New World and the Old, including two local premieres and a world premiere from Luis Prado. A highlight will be a performance of the mesmerizing Bachiana Brasiliera No. 5 by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, scored for eight celli and soprano. Jody Karin Applebaum will sing the solo part.

Ida Levin

Violin, with Jeremy Denk, piano, March 21, Settlement Music School, 416 Queen St., 215-569-8080. What do Lutoslawski, Carter, Ligeti and Kirchner have in common? They are all composers of our time (only Lutoslawski is no longer with us) whose music has stood the test of time. Their powerful work is truly the classical music of our time; hear it in a recital of music for violin and piano.

A Tribute to George Rochberg

March 21, Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust St,. 215-893-7902. Rochberg rocked the new music world a generation ago when he determined that it was OK to be tuneful, even after coming of age in an atonal world. Pianist Marcantonio Barone and a bunch of illustrious fellow Curtis alums will assemble to play the music of this important Philadelphia composer.

Alfred Brendel

Piano, March 26, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999. Brendel has been a beacon for thoughtful, cultured pianism for over half a century. The program for this rare Philadelphia appearance includes three Mozart pieces, but this guy could play scales and still enthrall.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

March 28, 29, Kimmel Center, 215-893-1999. Kyung-Wha Chung is a bold and colorful violinist. Here she will play the king of violin concertos, that of Beethoven.

RelÂche

May 26-27, Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 215-569-9700. Uri Caine, the guest performer and composer for this Relâche season finale, straddles the classical and jazz worlds. He is trained in both styles. His fascinating and hugely entertaining music gleefully mixes traditions that might otherwise clash. Or maybe the clash is the point.