Since the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra officially opened its subscription season this weekend (here’s the review), I decided to look at the arts calendar to see what musical performances I want to get on my November calendar.

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of our performing arts are ramping up. My November calendar looks almost normal, which in Cincinnati means that you can be out every night of the week. So here are some of my picks.

Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m. – At CCM, renowned Russian pianist and pedagogue Boris Berman performs a guest recital performance in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Admission: FREE.

Note: Find all CCM events and the calendar here.

Nov. 7, 4 p.m. — Linton Music Series “Pure Bach,” featuring violinist Jennifer Koh performing the solo violin works of Bach. First Unitarian Church. For tickets and program, click here.

Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m. – Ariel Quartet, CCM String-Quartet-in-Residence, continues its concert series with Lera Auerbach’s “Frozen Dreams,” which premiered in 2020, and Béla Bartók’s penultimate quartet, String Quartet No. 5.  Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: Prices start at $29.50.

Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov performs a recital at Music Hall, presented by the CSO. His program includes music by Karol Szymanowski, Debussy, Prokofiev and Brahms.

Note: For all CSO events and concerts, click here.

Nov. 11, 8 p.m. —Stephen Hough recital at Xavier. Hough is a longtime visitor to the Xavier Piano Series, and is something of a Renaissance man. This month, he graces the cover of BBC Music magazine. His program includes Schumann’s Kreisleriana, Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 and Hough’s own “Partitia.” It’s in Xavier’s Gallagher Center Theater on the XU campus. For tickets and info about the entire Xavier Music Series, click here.

Nov. 13-14, 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. – The CSO presents a concert led by James Gaffigan, guest conductor, in Music Hall. (By now, you probably know that every guest conductor will be under close scrutiny as the CSO begins its music director search.) Principal trumpet Robert Sullivan is soloist in the Georg Neruda Trumpet Concerto. There’s also Mahler’s Fourth with soprano Catherine Trottmann.

Nov. 14, 7 p.m. – This concert intrigues me: Sung Compline Service, featuring chant, organ improvisation, and the music of Josquin des Prez, on the CCM Choral Series. Vox Antiqua, Matthew Peattie, Brett Scott, and Michael Unger, music directors  Location: St. Peter in Chains Cathedral 325 W 8th St. downtown. Admission: FREE

Nov. 17, 12:30 p.m. at CCM — Missy Mazzoli, Guest lecture. Grammy Award-winning composer and Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition jury member. Missy Mazzoli has had her music performed by the Kronos Quartet, LA Opera, eighth blackbird, the BBC Symphony, Scottish Opera and many others. In 2018 she became one of the first two women, along with Jeanine Tesori, to receive a main stage commission from the Metropolitan Opera and was nominated for a Grammy award. Location: Mary Emery Hall, Room 3250. Admission: FREE

Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m. – The music of Missy Mazzoli. Featuring guest artists Beo String Quartet and student artist Michael Delfin, piano; William R. Langley, guest conductor. Enjoy a recital of works by visiting composer and Alexander Zemlinsky Prize for Composition jury member Missy Mazzoli. The program includes Mazzoli’s Vespers for Violin (2014), Enthusiasm Strategies (2019), Harp and Altar (2009), A Thousand Tongues (2009), Lies you Can Believe In (2007), Heartbreaker (2013), Ecstatic Science (2017) and Still Life with Avalanche (2008). Reception to follow in the CCM Baur Room. Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Admission: FREE

Nov. 18-21 (7:30 p.m. except for Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m.) – Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” Mark Gibson, conductor; Robin Guarino, director. The most popular of Mozart’s operas, The Marriage of Figaro presents a comically tangled web of infidelity, duplicity, blackmail and mistaken identity, all leading to a happily-ever-after ending. Recounting a single day of madness in the palace of Count Almaviva, this classic opera buffa is celebrated for its wonderful arias, complemented by some of the finest ensemble scenes ever written. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Corbett Auditorium. Tickets: Prices start at $35.50.

Nov. 19, 11 a.m. and 20, 7:30 p.m. – Louis Langrée conducts the CSO with pianist Emanuel Ax as soloist. Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony, Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D Major and Sebastian Currier’s Track 8, world premiere. At Music Hall.

Nov. 19, 5 p.m. Master class with Emanuel Ax at CCM in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Admission: FREE

Nov. 21, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. —  Concert:nova. Eight string players onstage and no Mendelssohn! Music of Bruch, Gliere and Shostakovich played by a small army of people with bows. This concert will be filmed and streamed at a later date for those who wish to watch from home. At the Woodward Theatre, 1404 Main Street, downtown. Info at Concertnova.com.

Nov. 21-23 – Thalea String Quartet with Michelle Cann, Chamber Music Cincinnati. Here’s what I want to hear: Florence Price’s Piano Quintet. 4 p.m. Nov. 21, Corinthian Baptist Church; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Memorial Hall. Click here for more info.

Nov. 21, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. — Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, CCM Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Lab Band, featuring CCM Musical Theatre students. Scott Belck, music director; Diane Lala, choreographer. Ellington’s remarkable adaptation of The Nutcracker Suite, brought to life with stunning choreography from CCM Musical Theatre’s stars of tomorrow.  Patricia Corbett Theater. Admission: Prices start at $29.50

Nov. 21, 3 p.m.  – Matinee Musicale presents Albert Cano Smit, pianist, Winner of the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Memorial Hall, OTR. Click here for tickets.

Nov. 26-27, 7:30 p.m. – The CSO is conducted by Roderick Cox, with pianist Conrad Tao. Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Minor and Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony. At Music Hall.