Critic's picks - classical music

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. 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. 23 in Sanders Theatre, $15 to $78, 617-236-0999 or www.bostonphil.org.

CONCORD CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY While he's in town performing with the BSO, cellist Lynn Harrell makes a stop in Concord for chamber works by Brahms and Beethoven. Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. $30 to $35, Concord Academy Performing Arts Center, 978-371-9667 or www. concordchambermusic.org.

BORROMEO STRING QUARTET The locally based foursome (above) 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