Leonard Bernstein has long held a place in our hearts as one of America's great composers and conductors. In honor of the 90th anniversary of his birth, the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with world- renowned soloists such as Joshua Bell and Jennifer Koh, has put together some truly timeless and innovative programs together for its Bernstein Festival, taking place from now until early February. In addition to celebrating Bernstein's music, the Philadelphia Orchestra also recognizes his......

Christoph Eschenbach, who won't be renewing his contract with the Philadelphia Orchestra after this season, was surprised to hear that he won't have a job in Paris, either. The Orchestre de Paris announced late Wednesday that they'd be replacing him. Eschenbach, however, seems perfectly happy with the news. He says he has plenty of other jobs lined up, and besides, "The management in both cases [Paris and Philadelphia], I'm sorry to say, is amateurish..........

Monday The Philadelphia Art Alliance's New Music Mondays series presents works by Jan Krzywicki, Professor of Composition at Temple University. Philadelphia Art Alliance (251 S. 18th St.); 7:30 PM; $20 Wednesday The Philadephia Chamber Music Society Presents the American Quartet with Lydia Artymiw, piano, in a program of Haydn, Shostakovich, Dohnanyi. The pianist will even give a free pre-concert lecture at 6:45! Perelman Theater (Kimmel Center); 8 PM; $22 Thursday The Academy of Vocal......

The early winter lull is almost over. There are certainly some interesting concerts this week, but the real winter season is on hold for another week. Friday Catch AVA’s concert version of Von Weber’s (pictured at left) Der Freischütz, an opera that explores what happens when peasants and magic collide. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center; 7:30 PM; $48 Like Ives? Violinist Soovin Kim and pianist Jeremy Denk will play a program of all Ives violin......

Don’t say I didn’t warn you - holiday concerts begin this week. But if you’re already sick of Christmas carols blaring at your nearby mall, there are other options for you as well. Tuesday The Philadelphia Orchestra continues with the Mahler 4 and Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23, with conductor Christoph Eschenbach at the piano. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center; 8 PM; $28-$113 Wednesday The UPenn American Avant Garde Series presents “Dr. Guy's MusiQologY.” What is......

It’s the calm before the Christmas concert storm. This week is understandably slow, with only the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Chamber Music Society forgoing leftovers for a concert here and there. Monday The Díaz Trio plays chamber pieces by Schubert, Hindemith, and Schumann. Christoph Eschenbach, Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, on piano. Catch Eschenbach while you can. It seems he'll be leaving us soon. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center; 8 PM; $22 Friday Looking for......