Best classical concerts of the week: VocalEssence for the holidays, Midwestern premiere of David Lang's 'Darker'

In 1942, on a shipboard journey from America to his native England, Benjamin Britten wrote "A Ceremony of Carols," one of the more beautiful compositions associated with the Christmas season. Though often sung by boy sopranos, the piece was originally conceived for women's voices. And that's how it will be presented in "What Sweeter Music," a seasonal program by Twin Cities choir the Singers. Also featured is a selection of new carols by the Singers' artistic director, Matthew Culloton. (3 p.m. Sun.; Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata; $21-$33, singersmca.org)

When violinist Augustin Hadelich was 15, a fire at the family farm in Italy left him with severe burns. Miraculously, the four fingers on his left hand were unaffected, and he was eventually able to start playing again. Hadelich, now 32, has developed into a remarkable artist, hailed for the individuality and insight of his playing. His two Schubert Club recitals, with pianist Joyce Yang, combine sonatas by Beethoven and Mozart with pieces by Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Brett Dean. (7:30 p.m. Tue., 10:30 a.m. Thu.; Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $28-$67, 651-292-3268 or schubert.org)

A typically imaginative Vocal-Essence holiday program features Conrad Susa's Carols and Lullabies as well as a new carol by Minnesota composer Steve Heitzeg. Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz share conducting duties, with additional performances scheduled for next week in Roseville and Minneapolis. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, Apple Valley; $11.75-$20, 612-371-5656 or vocalessence.org)

Can classical music be too expressive? Composer David Lang thinks so. "Darker" reflects the narrower, slower moving realities of his own inner life — as opposed to "the giant emotional leaps from one extreme to another" heard in many classical compositions. This Midwest premiere features Minneapolis conductor Mischa Santora, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra musicians and live art projections by Lang's wife, Suzanne Bocanegra — created with water, oil and colored pigment. (Sat., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $23, 651-291-1144 or thespco.org)

Clarinetist David Krakauer specializes in klezmer music. And he brings his sensational skill set to a concert with the Bakken Trio, for performances of the divertimento from David Schiff's "Gimpel the Fool" and Aram Khachaturian's Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Violin. Also featured is Erwin Schulhoff's quirky Duo for Violin and Cello. (4 p.m. Sun., Temple Israel, Mpls.; $20-$30, 612-374-3175 or bakkentrio.org)