Pianist GARRICK OHLSSON, a soloist familiar to CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA concertgoers, is back this week to perform Mozart's melodic Piano Concerto No. 22. The program also includes Sibelius' powerful Second Symphony, a work the CSO has recorded. Thursday at 7:30 p.m. is the first of this season's more casual concerts, including free eats in the Music Hall lobby beginning at 6:15 p.m. Tickets (you can get a five-concert package for Thursdays -- more free food -- for as little as $56.25): 513-381-3300. ...

After this weekend, you can kiss the CSO goodbye. Well, for a few weeks anyway. No, they're not pulling a trade-me-to-another-city tirade. But they will be showing off their superstar status with a series of concerts in Japan. Between Nov. 6 and 15, Music Director PAAVO JÅRVI will lead the orchestra for eight concerts in seven cities including Sapporo, Yokohama, Tokyo and Osaka. The tour will feature violin soloist AKIKO SUWANAI performing Brahms' Violin Concerto (the same work she played with the CSO at Music Hall on Oct. 24-25) for some programs, while pianist Yundi Li will offer Grieg's Piano Concerto at others. The CSO must already have a following in Japan: The distributor of the Telarc label is issuing four J#228rvi/CSO recordings (including the newest, featuring Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet) with booklets in Japanese -- a nod to the CSO's popularity. Let's hope Tokyo doesn't offer them a new venue with skyboxes. ...

MUSE, Cincinnati women's choir, and WOMEN WRITING FOR (A) CHANGE are offering Soundings II, a performance of words and melodies that reflect personal and political stories. The program will be Nov. 8-9 at St. John's Unitarian Church (320 Resor Ave., Clifton). Tickets: www.musechoir.org ...

The next program by THE CATACOUSTIC CONSORT, which presents music performed on historic instruments, will be Saturday evening at Christ Church Glendale (965 Forest Ave.). Flute and recorder player KIM PINEDA will perform Baroque and Renaissance pieces, accompanied by ANNALISA PAPPANO on the viola da gamba and TOM GERBER on the harpsichord. Tickets ($15, $7 for students) at the door.