Few would deny that Murray Perahia, protégé of Casals, Horowitz, and Britten, is one of the world’s top pianists, playing with a combination of clarity, warmth, and heart that makes whatever he plays sound like a communication straight from the composer’s soul to you. We’re taking points off, though, for his archconservative program: a Bach partita, Beethoven’s prettily unassuming “Pastoral” Sonata, Brahms’ Six Pieces, Op. 118, and a Ballade and a couple etudes by Chopin. Especially considering (I hadn’t known this) composition was his college major. He performs as part of the Seattle Symphony’s Distinguished Artists Recital Series; still to come are Yefim Bronfman (Nov. 28), Gil Shaham (Jan. 22), and Lang Lang (March 26).

Tue., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., 2007