In Classical Focus, Theodore Bell selects highlights from Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter. Here are his top picks:

It’s Beethoven season – ripe this weekend with three outstanding pickings. Each performance will prove to be extraordinary, with masterworks kissed by the stellar artists of Musica Angelica and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, as well as the sensational Lang Lang.

Musica Angelica with Ilia Korol

This update arrived from the Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter: The Musica Angelica Nov. 7 and 8 concerts have been postponed until April 24 and 25, 2010. Violinist ILIA KOROL has a serious flu and forte pianist NATASHA GRIGORIEVA has suffered a back injury. All tickets already issued will be honored at the same
venues on the new dates:
Saturday, April 24, 2010,  p.m.
Neighborhood Church, Pasadena
Sunday, April 25, 2010 4 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica

Musica Angelica is offering concerts on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon with a program led by Ilia Korol (violin) and Natasha Grigorieva (piano forte). Here is a chance to hear Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas in E-flat Major (Op.12, No.3) and F Major (Op.24). Korol is a regular performer with Musica Angelica, and I anticipate a wonderful concert (see my Culture Spot review of Korol and Musica Angelica last season). You will find that Korol has a very distinctive manner and is a consummate artist and master technician. He is mesmerizing on stage. I recommend the Sunday performance, as the Santa Monica venue is the better of the two.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
The Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena

Sunday, Nov. 8, 4 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, 1220 Second St. (1/2 block south of Wilshire), Santa Monica

Tickets: $39. Call (310) 458-4504, or visit https://www.musicaangelica.org/index.php/tickets.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Kahane

Assuming that you are still singing along to Dudamel’s version of Beethoven’s Ninth, which he conducted at the Hollywood Bowl, give a listen to another favorite – the Fifth – as performed and discussed by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with conductor and pianist Jeffery Kahane. The first half of the program will set up the musical context with excerpts from various Beethoven symphonies, in addition to selections for solo piano and chamber ensemble, including excerpts from the “Moonlight” and “Pathetique” sonatas. After intermission, the complete Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Op.67, will be performed, followed by a chance to ask questions of  Kahane and  the musicians. The event should prove entertaining as well as enlightening.

Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena

Tickets $100, $85, $50, $20. Call (213) 622-7001, ext.215, or visit https://www.laco.org/performances/123/.

Los Angeles Philharmonic Colburn Celebrity Recital with Lang Lang

Sunday night will feature international superstar pianist Lang Lang performing in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Colburn Celebrity Recital Series at Walt Disney Concert Hall.  The program will include Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas No. 3 in C Major and No. 23 in F Minor (the “Appassionata”) in addition to Albeniz’s “Alberia Book 1” and Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No.7 in B-flat Major, Op.83.

What a fantastic way to end a weekend of Beethoven – the moody “Appassionata” played by Lang Lang.  Don’t miss it!

Sunday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., LA

Tickets: $37 to $95. Call (323) 850-2000, or visit https://www.laphil.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=3999.