Going back more than a century into Cincinnati's German roots, the town has been a place that loves Classical music. We've had the CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA since 1895 (it's the fifth oldest in America), and they kick off their 2003-2004 season with concerts Sept. 5-7 at Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine. The CINCINNATI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA is smaller and more intimate: They'll present Beethoven's third symphony, "Eroica," among other pieces at CCM on Sept. 27 and NKU on Sept. 28 (www.cincychamberorch.com). But don't lose track of the many varied offerings to be found from lower-profile programs, like the LINTON MUSIC SERIES, which begins its 26th season of intimate chamber music at the First Unitarian Church in Avondale on Oct. 12 with a program featuring several CSO stand-outs, joined by Alex Kerr, former CSO concertmaster, now handling that role with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra. On Jan. 18, CSO Music Director PAAVO JÅRVI — also a percussionist — will be the featured artist. Because the church sanctuary is small and seats are limited, an "Encore" series generally happens a day later at Congregation Ohav Shalom in Montgomery. (www.lintonmusic.org). With even more established roots, the CINCINNATI CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY begins its 74th season on Sept. 30 with the Mendelssohn String Quartet and pianist Jonathan Biss. Big names in Classical music perform for them Oct. 28: violinist Cho-Liang Lin and Van Cliburn International Piano Competition winner, André-Michel Schub. Most concerts are at Corbett Auditorium at UC's College-Conservatory of Music.
(www.cincychamber.org) If choral music is your thing, you'll like the GREAT MUSIC IN A GREAT SPACE concerts presented at Saint Peter in Chains Cathedral on Plum Street, Downtown. This fall's programs feature the Miami University Chamber Singers and Collegiate Chorale (Oct. 12, 3 p.m.), the Choir of Saint Paul's Cathedral, London (Oct. 22, 8 p.m.) and the cathedral's own choir and orchestra (Nov. 3, 3 p.m.) (Info: 513-421-2222) Keep an eye on CityBeat's weekly listings and you'll find events like early music concerts from the CATACOUSTIC CONSORT (a program of 17th-century Italian laments happens Oct. 11, 8 p.m., at CCM's Werner Recital Hall; www.catacoustic.com) or unusual offerings like the free lunchtime concerts on the first Friday of each month at the MERCANTILE LIBRARY (414 Walnut St., Downtown). Sept. 5 at noon is The Faux Frenchmen, a Jazz quartet inspired by Django Reinhardt and The Hot Club of France; retired harpsichordist Eiji Hashimoto performs Nov. 7, and some great voices will sing from "The Rodgers & Hart Songbook" on Dec. 5. (www.mercantilelibrary.com)
