Bartók's greatest

Hungarian composer Béla Bartók fled Nazi Europe in 1940, finding refuge in America. Before leaving Budapest he wrote his sixth and final string quartet, a work riven with the violence of wartime and a deep vein of lingering sadness. It's one of the great chamber compositions of the 20th century. And it serves as the centerpiece of a program by the Minneapolis-based Isles Ensemble. Also included are Mendelssohn's ebullient String Quintet No. 1 and Brahms' ripely lyrical Viola Sonata in E Flat Major. (2 p.m. Sun., Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, Mpls.; donation, islesensemble.org)

Lutheran connections

With the big Martin Luther exhibit set to open Sunday at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Bach Society of Minnesota celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with "Heaven's Castle." Choral pieces by Praetorius, Schütz and Buxtehude set the context for a pair of cantatas by J.S. Bach, the greatest composer of the Lutheran lineage. Bach was hugely influenced by the many hymn tunes written by Luther — in fact, a couple of Luther's hymns are included in what should be a fascinating sequence of music. (7 p.m. Fri., Central Lutheran Church, Winona, Minn.; 7:30 p.m. Sat., Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul; $8-$23, bachsocietymn.org)

Voices from the Renaissance

Twin Cities early music specialists the Mirandola Ensemble continue their examination of Renaissance vocal masterpieces in a program linking the Missa pro defunctis (Mass for the dead) by 16th-century Spanish composer Cristóbal de Morales with Funeral Ikos, one of many devotional pieces by contemporary English composer John Tavener. (3 p.m. Sun., Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Mpls.; $15, themirandolaensemble.org)

Another SPCO premiere

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra has been on the road touring "O Mikros, O Megas," a new work for strings by Greek-American composer George Tsontakis. The ensemble's Manhattan concert earned a rave review from the New York Times. And now the SPCO returns to the Twin Cities for the Midwest premiere. Also featured are Schubert's sunny Fifth Symphony and Haydn's amiable Sinfonia Concertante for Oboe, Bassoon, Violin and Cello. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley; 7:30 p.m. Thu., Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater; 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $13-$53, 651-291-1144 or thespco.org)

Latin Voyages

The Sphinx Competition exists to identify the finest young black and Latino string players in America, and its alumni orchestra tours once a year every fall. Its "Latin Voyages: Viajes Latinos" program features music by Villa-Lobos, Golijov, Ginastera and "Tango King" Astor Piazzolla. (3 p.m. Sun., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $15-$35, 651-224-4222 or schubert.org)

TERRY BLAIN