Critic's picks

By Jeremy Eichler, Globe Staff  |  March 27, 2009

CLASSICAL MUSIC

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Charles Dutoit returns to conduct the orchestra in Ravel's "Mother Goose" Suite and Stravinsky's "Petrushka" as well as Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 with soloist Lisa Batiashvili. March 27-28, $29-$115, Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200 or www.bso.org

MURRAY PERAHIA The eloquent pianist stops by Symphony Hall for a Celebrity Series recital devoted to music by Bach (Partita No. 1, BWV 825); Mozart (Sonata in F Major, K. 332); Beethoven ("Appassionata"); and Brahms ("Handel Variations"). March 29 at 3 p.m., $38-$72, 617-482-6661 or www.celebrityseries.org

NASH ENSEMBLE This adventurous London-based chamber troupe makes a rare local appearance with a program that includes Mozart's Piano Quartet No. 1 (K. 478), Ligeti's Horn Trio, and Dohnanyi's Sextet. March 29 at 1:30 p.m., Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, $23, 617-278-5156 or www.gardnermuseum.org