The Pittsburgh Symphony enters its 104th season, under music director Mariss Jansons, one of the leading conductors to emerge from the former Soviet Union. Jansons, who was named EMI Classics' Artist of the Year for 1996, and the symphony have developed an immediately recognizable rapport. Here's a selected list of concerts from the first half of the season. Check out our recommended recordings of works being played. For more information on the Pittsburgh Symphony and how to order tickets, call (412) 392-4900 or visit their Web site at www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

November 26, 27, 1999

Mariss Jansons, conductor;

Patricia Prattis Jennings, piano

Liszt, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2; Chabrier, España; Dvorák, Scherzo capriccioso Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue

December 3-5, 1999

Mariss Jansons, conductor;

Sarah Chang, violin

Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto; Rossini, Overture to La Scala di Seta ; Stravinsky, Pétrouchka

December 10-12, 1999

Neville Marriner, conductor

Handel, Messiah

January 7, 9, 2000

Bernard Klee, conductor;

Julian Rachlin, violin

Borisova-Ollas, Wings of the Wind; Saint-Saëns, Violin Concerto No. 3; Debussy, Khamma; Debussy La Mer

January 14-16, 2000

Mariss Jansons, conductor;

Thomas Hampson, baritone

Michael Hersch, World Premiere commissioned by the PSO; Haydn, Symphony No. 96 ("The Miracle"); Haydn, Symphony No. 101("The

Clock"); Copland, Old American Songs; Mahler/Berio, Six Early Songs; Weber, Overture to Oberon

January 21-23, 2000

Mariss Jansons, conductor;

Mikhail Rudy, piano