Messiaen masterpiece
French composer Olivier Messiaen was interned at a POW camp during World War II. While there, he wrote "Quartet for the End of Time," a masterpiece of 20th-century chamber music and centerpiece of this week's St. Paul Chamber Orchestra program. Artistic partner Martin Fröst leads the program on clarinet, with section principals Kyu-Young Kim on violin and Julie Albers on cello, plus Michael Kim on piano. Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" Overture and Beethoven's Fourth Symphony provide a jaunty upbeat to Messiaen's profundities. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; 3 p.m. Sun., St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi; $13-$53, 651-291-1144 or thespco.org)
Where Fauré can flourish
Gabriel Fauré's chamber music is prized by purists but sparingly programmed by live performers — perhaps because its pleasures are of the soft-spoken variety. But the Baroque Room in St. Paul is just the kind of small, intimate venue in which Fauré's music can flourish. Anyone interested in French music shouldn't miss violinist Marc Levine's performance of the First Violin Sonata. Levine is partnered with pianist Gloria Shih, who opens the recital with the Chaconne from Bach's Violin Partita No. 2. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Baroque Room, St. Paul; $5-$15, thebaroqueroom.com)
Bowling for Mozart
Was Mozart's "Kegelstatt Trio" for clarinet, viola and piano actually composed (as its nickname suggests) at a bowling alley? We don't know for sure. We do know, however, that it's a masterpiece. Hear the Incidental Trio play it at the Dunsmore Room. (3 p.m. Sat., Crooners Lounge and Supper Club, Fridley; $20, 1-800-838-3006 or croonersloungemn.com)
Organ trailblazer
New York-based organist Gail Archer is a pioneering performer on an instrument long dominated by men. The first American woman to perform the complete works of Messiaen, she plays a free recital this week on the Casavant Frères organ at the Church of St. Louis, King of France. (noon Tue., Church of St. Louis, King of France, St. Paul; free, stlouiskingoffrance.org)
Punk-Ass Classical
Ever the shape-shifter, Punk-Ass Classical is set to present another fascinating house concert this week featuring vocal music by John Cage, Luciano Berio, Kurt Schwitters and Joey Crane. Go to the group's Facebook page for more details — and to register for attendance. (facebook.com/punkassclassical)
TERRY BLAIN
