Fleisher plays Brahms

How quickly fate can strike: When American pianist Leon Fleisher was in his 30s, he lost the use of his right hand to a mysterious neurological condition. It was three decades before a partial cure restored his ability to play two-handed again, resuming a career that was stellar before the affliction. Fleisher opens the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota's new season as soloist in two works by Brahms, one of his signature composers. The Piano Quintet is paired with the Liebeslieder Waltzes, where Fleisher is joined by his pianist wife, Katherine Jacobson Fleisher. (4 p.m. Sun. Ted Mann Concert Hall, University of Minnesota, Mpls. $15-$25, chambermusicmn.org)

America's best soprano?

Is Renée Fleming the greatest living American singer? Opinions will range. She's known for her combination of vocal allure, versatility, energy and glamour. Fleming's operatic appearances are fewer now, as she approaches 60 and begins curating her voice more carefully. But she remains a formidable recitalist. She launches the Schubert Club's International Artist Series with an entertaining mix of music by Massenet, Saint-Saëns, Schumann, Tosti and Boito, with a dash of Broadway sparkle. (7:30 p.m. Wed. Ordway Music Theater, St. Paul. $27-$101, 651-292-3268, schubert.org)

Choral supergroups

Twin Cities male vocal group Cantus and West Coast counterparts Chanticleer are a match made in classical boy-band heaven, guaranteeing elite vocalism in sets performed separately and together. For a preview, see our story from the annual Fall Arts guide: startribune.com/fallarts. (7:30 p.m. Mon. Orchestra Hall, Mpls. $30-$250, 612-371-5656, minnesotaorchestra.org)

Rachmaninoff plus Chopin

Fieriness, intensity and steely virtuosity. Armenian pianist Sergei Babayan has all of these characteristics, as you'd expect from a Moscow-trained player. He opens the 2016-17 season at the Frederic Chopin Society in a recital combining Rachmaninoff's Chopin Variations with a selection of mazurkas by Chopin himself. (3 p.m. Sun. Mairs Concert Hall, Macalester College, St. Paul. $15-$25, 612-822-0123, chopinsocietymn.org)

Denk plays Mozart

The sparky, intellectually nuanced playing of Jeremy Denk should fit Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 perfectly. One of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's artistic partners, Denk returns to helm a program where he also stars as chamber musician, with works by Schumann and György Kurtág. Schubert's effervescent Second Symphony is also featured. (11 a.m. & 8 p.m. Fri., 8 p.m. Sat. Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul. $13-$53, 651-291-1144, thespco.org) TERRY BLAIN