Miah Persson
Some singers may never achieve widespread fame but remain favourites of the connoisseurs (Manuguerra, anyone?). The Swedish soprano Miah Persson is still young enough for the first part to come to her, but she has already firmly achieved the latter. A lieder programme of Brahms, Strauss, Grieg and Liszt should show just why.
Wigmore Hall, London, Sept 19 royalalberthall.com
Nicola Benedetti
The jury may still be out on Nicola Benedetti's ranking in the premier league of the world's violinists, but there is no doubt that she is a serious-minded, thoughtful artist. Here she joins Andrew Litton and the London Philharmonic for the world premiere of Sir John Tavener's violin concerto, Lalishri.
Royal Festival Hall, London, Sept 26 southbankcentre.co.uk
Sir Colin Davis 80th birthday gala
What other orchestra for Sir Colin's 80th birthday bash than his beloved London Symphony? And what other work than Mozart's Requiem - a typically solemn, spiritual choice from one of the most intelligent, musicianly Mozartians of our time. As if that weren't enough, Gideon Kremer drops by for Elgar's Violin Concerto in the first half.
Barbican Hall, Oct 3 barbican.org.uk
Marin Alsop
The good people of Dorset should grab as many Marin Alsop concerts as they can before she departs for the bright lights of Baltimore. She is at her spectacular best in showpieces, so Holst's The Planets and Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto should make for a stunning coupling. Lukas Vondracek is the soloist.
The Lighthouse, Poole, October 10 lighthousepoole.co.uk
Sibelius And Beyond
In the UK, 2007 has so far been dominated by the anniversary of Sir Edward Elgar. Internationally, though, Sibelius - the 50th anniversary of whose death this is - is arguably a more revered figure. Well, London is about to start feeling rather Finnish as the capital's music venues play host to the festival Sibelius And Beyond. As the name suggests, it celebrates the great composer, his influences and the whole of Finnish culture. Of which there is a heck of a lot worth the exploring.
The likes of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the ravishing, honey-voiced soprano Karita Mattila (above) are among the offerings later in the year. More immediate highlights include the official anniversary concert on September 20 at the Wigmore Hall. The marvellous baritone Jorma Hynninen joins the pianist Ilkka Paananen, the cellist Tuomas Ylinen and the fabulously named string quartet Meta 4.
Forced to choose one of the upcoming concerts, however, I'd head to St John's, Smith's Square on October 9. Mandy Burvill is the soloist in Magnus Lindberg's Clarinet Concerto. Any chance to hear this fresh, exciting contemporary work is not to be missed - it inhabits sonic planes all of its own, at once accessible, fascinating and original.
Various London Venues, sibeliusandbeyond.com
Kate Royal
EMI
One of the most exciting of the new batch of young sopranos delivers an exceptional debut album. Royal's creamy, patrician voice places her in the line of Kiri Te Kanawa and Renee Fleming - this gal could go far.
Terezin/Theresienstadt
DG
The great Swedish mezzo Anne Sofie von Otter makes up for her recent Abba album with this deeply haunting evoking of the ghosts of Theresienstadt. The music is by turns sorrowful and burlesque, von Otter's singing serves the music rather than indulges in over-pointing a tragedy that needs no extra emphasis - and, by the time you hear the lullaby of the nurse who chose to accompany her young charges to the gas chambers to sing them to sleep, there are, simply, no words.
Haydn Symphonies 88-92
EMI
Who'd have thought that Simon Rattle's Berlin Philharmonic could sound so fleet of foot (think of a bull ballet dancing)? But twirl and charm they do in a rich Haydn programme.
Respuesta
Stradivarius
I never thought that guitar music was really my thing, but I'm beginning to change my mind. The rich tones of guitar master Stefano Grondona - as colourful as autumn leaves - are endlessly varied as he pays tribute to another great guitarist, Miguel Llobet. Irresistible.
