The Seattle Symphony, under the direction of music director Gerard Schwarz, was founded in 1903 and is the oldest andlargest cultural institution in the Pacific Northwest. Recognized for its daring programming and tradition of performing music by 20th-century composers, the Symphony is one of the world's most recorded orchestras, represented on more than 75 compact discs. The Symphony moved into its new home in Benaroya Hall in 1998. 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 SeattleSymphony and how to order tickets, call (206) 215-4747 or visit their Web site at www.seattlesymphony.org.

Glazunov, Violin Concerto; Honegger, Symphony No. 2; Brahms, Symphony No. 3
November 18-21, 1999
Andreas Delfs, conductor;
Awadagin Pratt, piano

Theodore Shapiro, Piano Concerto (World Premiere); Smetana, The Moldau from Má vlast; Schumann, Symphony No. 3 ("Rhenish")
December 2-5, 1999
Junichi Hirokami, conductor;
Fazil Say, piano

Takemitsu, Requiem for Strings; Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninov, Symphony No. 3
December 15-17, 1999
George Manahan, conductor;
Seattle Symphony Chorale

Handel, Messiah
December 29-31, 1999
Gerard Schwarz, conductor;
Seattle Symphony Chorale

Beethoven, Symphony No. 9
January 6, 7, 2000
Gerard Schwarz, conductor;
Seattle Symphony Chorale

J. Fischer, Symphony for Eight Tympani and Orchestra; Mendelssohn; Symphony No. 2 ("Lobgesang")
January 19, 20, 23, 2000
Gerard Schwarz, conductor;
Murray Perahia, piano