The best classical concerts in autumn 2012

Birmingham Beethoven cycle All the symphonies, concertos, piano sonatas and chamber music will be included in Birmingham's extravaganza. The focus is on Andris Nelsons and the CBSO's cycle of the nine symphonies; it starts with the First and Second Symphonies, separated by the Violin Concerto with Baiba Skride as soloist. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, 19 and 20 September. thsh.co.uk Der Ring des Nibelungen Keith Warner's problematic production returns for three more cycles. On the plus side, Antonio Pappano is conducting, Bryn Terfel is Wotan once again, while Susan Bullock is Brünnhilde and John Tomlinson a potentially show-stealing Hagen in Götterdämmerung. Royal Opera House, London, 24 September to 2 November. roh.org.uk Arvo Pärt Weekend The penultimate instalment of Minimal Extreme, Glasgow's three-year-long celebration of minimalism, focuses on just one composer . Paul Hillier and the Theatre of Voices take up residence for a pair of concerts built around two of Arvo Pärt's most celebrated choral works, the Stabat Mater and St John Passion. City Halls and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow, 27 and 28 October. glasgowconcerthalls.com Oliver Knussen at 60 The first of the BBC's Total Immersion days is devoted to one of the most influential living British composers and conductors. The programme ends with the composer himself conducting a programme of his music; on the previous day, there are two performances of Netia Jones's staging of Knussen's double bill of Sendak operas , first seen at Aldeburgh in June . Barbican, London, 3 and 4 November. barbican.org.uk The Pilgrim's Progress English National Opera continues its sterling service to 20th-century British opera with the first major-house production for more than half a century of Vaughan Williams's greatest stage work. Former Peter Brook collaborator Yoshi Oida directs the staging, with Martyn Brabbins conducting and Roland Wood taking the lead role. Coliseum, London, 5 to 28 November. eno.org Huddersfield contemporary music festival Britain's leading showcase for new music opens with a concert devoted to Irish composer Donnacha Dennehy ; other highlights include a new string quartet from Huddersfield regular Rebecca Saunders , and UK premieres of works by Wolfgang Rihm, Matthias Pintscher and Hans Abrahamsen. Various venues, Huddersfield, 16 to 25 November. hcmf.co.uk