Alas, the sunny days of summer are winding down. However, as fall approaches, classical music ensembles around the city are gearing up for a new season of performances. This month, both the Seattle Symphony and Town Hall begin their 2012-13 concert seasons with spectacular opening night programs. Also on the calendar this September is the 100th anniversary of John Cage’s birth. Performances celebrating the famed composer’s life are scheduled around the country, with Seattle being no exception.

The weather may be cooling off, but things are just starting to warm up in concert halls around the city…

Sep. 7 – 9 — John Cage, anyone? Innovative vocal ensemble The Esoterics celebrates the composer’s 100th birthday with three evenings of concerts. They’ll be performing 42 of the 92 works in Cage’s Songbook, as well as three of his “Number Pieces“: Four2, Four6, and Five. This ambitious series of performances has plenty to offer for Cage fans and newbies alike.

Sep. 11 — Town Hall kicks off its 2012-13 TownMusic series with an evening of piano trios. Cellist Joshua Roman, who serves as music director of TownMusic, will be joined onstage by Vancouver-based violinist Dale Barltrop and pianist Victor Santiago Asuncion. The program will be a mix of old and new, featuring beloved works by Beethoven and Schubert alongside a piece by up-and-coming composer Dan Visconti.

Sep. 15 — The Seattle Symphony begins the 2012-13 concert season with a festive evening of American music. This year’s Opening Night Concert & Gala features superstar violinist Joshua Bell performing Bernstein’s Serenade. Also on the program is Copland’s inspiring Lincoln Portrait, which will be narrated by former Washington State Governor Daniel J. Evans.

Oct. 1 — Author Paul Elie visits Town Hall to discuss his book Reinventing Bach. His multimedia presentation, which includes clips of performances by Glenn Gould, Pablo Casals, and Yo-Yo Ma, will explore how contemporary artists and musicians keep J.S. Bach’s music fresh and relevant in today’s world.