The Berlin-based Artemis Quartet took its sweet time developing, and the result is even sweeter. Founded in 1989 but not playing publicly until a decade later, it matured away from the rigors of touring. At 7:30 p.m. in Carnegie Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland, it will bring that to bear on a Beethoven program: his Quartet in G major, Op. 18, No. 2, Quartet in F minor, Op. 95, "Quartetto Serioso" and Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. $15-$35; 412-624-4129.

Who needs the orchestra? Violinist Joshua Bell returns to Heinz Hall without the Pittsburgh Symphony for a solo recital (well, he does need a pianist, in this case Jeremy Denk) at 7:30 p.m. The program is a serious one: Bach's Violin Sonata No. 4, Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 3, Schumann's Violin Sonata No. 1 and Ravel's Violin Sonata. $25-$83; 412-392-4900 or www.pittsburghsymphony.org.

"Ceramic Expressions," work by three artists who use clay to very different results (figural, functional and abstract forms with conceptual overlay), will open from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Robert Morris University Media Arts Gallery, 600 Fifth Ave., Downtown. Well-known Pittsburgh ceramist Laura Jean McLaughlin shares space with Diem Chau of Seattle and Joseph Gower of Sewell, N.J. The exhibition is a collaboration with Luke & Eloy Gallery of Lawrenceville.

Kente Arts Alliance presents jazz singer Vanessa Rubin at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty at 8 p.m. With more than 10 albums, international tours and performances at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, she is a seasoned vocalist, composer and arranger with a repertoire spanning from Ellington to Carmen McRae. In 2009, she portrayed Billie Holiday in "Yesterdays, an Evening With Billie Holiday" at the Hartford Stage in Hartford, Conn. The International Association of Jazz Educators also has honored her with an Outstanding Service to Jazz Education award. $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $15 for groups of 15 or more; 412-394-3353 or www.proartstickets.org.

Critics Andrew Druckenbrod and Scott Mervis talk about music on "The Beat," available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.