New York Philharmonic

Before the Phil turns to predictable, seasonal fare, guest conductor Christoph von Dohnányi leads an all-Dvorák program, from Dec11 through 13. (The pieces on the bill are the composer's Symphony No. 9, plus his Piano Concerto; Martin Helmchen is the soloist in the latter work.) The orchestra's Brass and Percussion Ensemble plays a holiday-themed concert on Dec 14, before Handel's Messiah gets a five-night run, from Dec 16 through 20. The organization doubles up with its "Holidays with the Philharmonic" program, which includes an idiosyncratic recitation of The Night Before Christmas, courtesy of Whoopi Goldberg (on Dec 19) and Mo Rocca (on Dec 20).