I'll be taking a bit of a break from musical activities this weekend, but did want to call everyone's attention out to some upcoming NYC musical events worth your consideration (All events are also listed on my new Concert Calendar - scroll down to view):

Next week, the Wordless Music Series returns on Wednesday with Max Richter, Cepia and pianist Assaff Weissman playing music by Messiaen and Haydn. Then, from Thurs-Sat, Gustavo Dudamel returns hot on the heels of his NYC debut with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra to lead the New York Philharmonic in Prokofiev's 5th, the Dvorak Violin Concerto (with rockstar Gil Shaham) and Carlos Chavez' Second Symphony. Oh, and if you've got an extra $5, Manny Ax is playing Beethoven and Schubert at the Peoples' Symphony next Saturday at Washington Irving High School.

The week after brings the Boston Symphony to town with Jimmy Levine and Renee Fleming, followed by the Tan Dun's Water Music and The Gate with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Michael Christie. But, the main event may be later that week, when the Miller Theatre presents the NY stage premiere of Elliott Carter's one and only opera What Next?, which blew me away when I saw it in the summer of 2006 at Tanglewood (see photo below.) The final performance of the run, Dec. 11, lands on Carter's 99th birthday, and knowing Elliott, he will be there to take his bows in person. You should be, too.