Music listings

(Hiroyuki Ito for The New York Times/file 2005)

POP & ROCK

ROBYN HITCHCOCK Continuing the full-album performance trend, the master of wild wordplay gives 1984's "I Often Dream of Trains" a complete workout, in addition to other tunes from his lengthy, colorful catalog. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21. $26.50. Somerville Theatre. 617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com

INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW with John Powhida International Airport, Bird Mancini, Gene Dante, and more. Expect an overload of melodies, an outbreak of toe-tapping, and lots of chances to sing along as 34 local and national acts come together for four days to worship at the altar of pop music. 7 p.m. Nov. 20-23. $8-$10. Church. 866-468-7619. www.ticketweb.com

AMANDA PALMER The indefatigable local diva takes over the Paradise for two nights to celebrate her solo debut, "Who Killed Amanda Palmer?" Don't be surprised if Dresden Doll bandmate Brian Viglione puts in an appearance. 8 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25. $25. Paradise Rock Club. 617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com SARAH RODMAN

FOLK, WORLD & COUNTRY

JASON ALDEAN & LADY ANTEBELLUM Hopefully things won't be awkward backstage between these country acts, seeing as dynamite openers Lady Antebellum beat out headliner Aldean for the best new artist trophy at last week's CMA awards. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20. $27.75. Lowell Memorial Auditorium. 617-931-2000, www.ticket master.com

TERESA STORCH Storch is celebrating the release of her album "Stream of Concrete," and she'll be joined by a big band of local roots luminaries (Ryan Fitzsimmons, Lloyd Thayer, Danielle Miraglia). 9 p.m. Nov. 21. $10. Lizard Lounge. 617-547-0759, www.lizardloungeclub.com

WILLIE NILE Hey, if he's good enough for Lucinda Williams and Lou Reed, who've sung Nile's praises, he's good enough for us. Nile comes to Cambridge in support of "Live From the Streets of New York." 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23. $20. Club Passim. 617-492-7679, www.clubpassim.org

ZACARIAS FERREIRA & RAULIN RODRIGUEZ The Northeast doesn't have many bachata artists, which makes this doubleheader with two of the genre's stars such an event. 8 p.m. Nov. 26. $40. Club Lido, 1290 N. Shore Road, Revere. 617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com JAMES REED

JAZZ, BLUES & CABARET

DONAL FOX QUARTET The pianist's music melds jazz, classical, and Latin influences into his own deeply rooted, forward-looking sound. His strong, supple band, featuring the same instrumentation as the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, includes veterans John Lockwood and Terri Lyne Carrington on bass and drums, as well as up-and-coming vibraphonist Warren Wolf. 7:30 and 10 p.m. Nov. 22. $25. Regattabar. 617-395-7757, www.regattabarjazz.com

JAZZ COMPOSERS ALLIANCE ORCHESTRA For more than a decade, the 19-piece JCA Orchestra has been a refreshing feature on the Boston creative music scene, comprising such respected bandleaders, composers, and instrumentalists as saxophonist Jim Hobbs, flutist Hiro Honshuku, and trumpeter Mike Peipman. Saturday night the orchestra celebrates its new CD, "The Same Thing," featuring compositions by Darrell Katz. 8 p.m. Nov 22. $12 adults/$8 seniors and students. Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St., Boston. www.jazzcomposersalliance.com

ANNIE ROYER The vocalist, a French native known for her interpretations of the music of Edith Piaf, presents an evening of cabaret, jazz, and swing titled "A Night in Paris" with her quintet Les Garçons Musette, including accordion player Roberto Cassan. 9 p.m., Nov. 22. $20. Ryles. 617-876-9330, www.rylesjazz.com

PANDELIS KARAYORGIS QUINTET Last January's debut at the Lily Pad by this uncompromisingly adventurous group was among the most impressive performances of the year. Now they're back, led by compelling pianist/composer Karayorgis, with fiery saxophonist Matt Langley, astonishing trombonist Jeff Galindo, and the splendid rhythm section of bassist Jef Charland and drummer Luther Gray. 9 p.m. Nov. 23. $10. The Lily Pad. www.lily-pad.net KEVIN LOWENTHAL

CLASSICAL

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Russian conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky, who loomed large in the music-making of the late Soviet era, returns to lead the BSO in works by Brahms and Tchaikovsky. Elgar's Cello Concerto is also on the program, with cellist Lynn Harrell as soloist. Nov. 20, 21, 22 and 25, $29 to $105, Symphony Hall 617-266-1200 or www.bso.org.

BOSTON PHILHARMONIC Conductor Benjamin Zander leads the orchestra and the free-spirited, boundary-busting violinist Gilles Apap in Berg's Violin Concerto. Apap will also join oboist Peggy Pearson in Bach's Double Concerto for Violin and Oboe. Beethoven's "Eroica" rounds out the program. Nov. 20 and 23 in Sanders Theatre, Nov. 22 in Jordan Hall, $15 to $78, 617-236-0999 or www.bostonphil.org.

BORROMEO STRING QUARTET The locally based foursome arrives at the end of its two-season journey through the complete string quartets of Dmitri Shostakovich. When done right, the final three works (Quartets No. 13, 14, and 15) take on an otherworldly, late-Beethovenian glow. The haunting Quartet No. 15 contains nothing but slow movements. Nov. 23 at 1:30. $23, and discounts for seniors, members, students, and children. 617-278-5156 or www.gardner museum.org JEREMY EICHLER