Power-duo recital

One of the world's most exciting cellists, Gautier Capuçon, partners with superstar pianist Yuja Wang for a pair of power-duo recitals. With sonatas by Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Franck, these programs are sure to set sparks flying. (10:30 a.m. Wed., 7:30 p.m. Thu., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $26-$68, 651-292-3268 or schubert.org)

More piano power

Brilliant English pianist Stephen Hough returns to Orchestra Hall this week to play Mendelssohn's fiery Piano Concerto No. 1. Also featured are Beethoven's Third Symphony and "Silvery Rills" by American composer Sean Shepherd, with exciting young South Korean conductor Han-Na Chang making her Minnesota Orchestra debut. (7:30 p.m. Wed., 11 a.m. Thu.; Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $12-$112, 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org)

Experimental colossus

Composer, teacher, author and accordionist Pauline Oliveros was a colossus of experimental music in postwar America. With a selection of workshops and performances spread over four days, Zeitgeist explores Oliveros' legacy with its ninth annual Early Music Festival. This marks an unmissable opportunity to get to know Oliveros' output, with the ensemble tackling her vocal works and chamber music alike. Zeitgeist also offers a rare screening of Oliveros' dance-opera "Io and Her and the Trouble With Him." And British sound artist Viv Corringham, who studied with Oliveros, presents a new work in the composer's honor. (7:30 p.m. Thu. & Fri.; 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun.; Studio Z, St. Paul; $10-$15, zeitgeistnewmusic.org)

'St. John Passion'

This co-staging of Bach's "St. John Passion" makes perfect sense: So much of Bach's music is built on dance rhythms, it's a short step to combining the work with choreography. Oratory Bach Ensemble Artistic Director Matthew J. Olson leads a core group of 36 period instrumentalists and singers, with Twin Cities tenor Roy Heilman in the pivotal role of the Evangelist, while Minnesota Dance Theatre Artistic Airector Lise Houlton leads the movement. (7:30 p.m. Fri. & 2 p.m. Sun., the Lab Theater, Mpls.; 7 p.m. Sat., Carleton College, Northfield; $25-$35, oratorybach.org)

Vivaldi and more

Mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle is guest artist for the latest Minnesota Bach Ensemble concert. Bragle sings Vivaldi's motet "Vos invito" and J.S. Bach's great cantata "Ich habe genug." The varied program also includes music by C.P.E. Bach and Handel. (3 p.m. Sat., MacPhail Center for Music, Mpls.; $10-$30, mnbach.org)

TERRY BLAIN