American composer Jennifer Higdon’s ‘blue cathedral’ will be performed by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra this weekend; 639-4300.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will present Jennifer Higdon’s “blue cathedral,” a moving tribute to her brother, for the first time in this week’s concerts. A haunting, shimmering work featuring many woodwind solos, “blue cathedral” moves through many moods before coming back to the tinkling percussion instruments that begin it. Some may prefer a little more violence in their contemporary music, but the subtlety with which Higdon writes erases much of the doubt. The added bonus of the ISO’s strong woodwind section only makes this work more commendable.

Also on the concert bill are Rachmaninoff’s thrill-a-minute “Rhapsody on a Theme” by Paganini, with piano soloist Denis Matsuev, and Brahms’ Fourth Symphony.

The concert, with Mario Venzago conducting, will be held at Hilbert Circle Theater, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., Nov. 12-13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18-$51; 639-4300, www.indyorch.org.