The Santa Maria Philharmonic will open the second concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with the work of Paul Dukas, Johannes Brahms, Maurice Ravel and Robert Schumann, at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Maria.

Maestro John Farrer has invited Anton Nel, pianist, as the featured soloist performing in Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, and Schumann’s “Introduction” and “Allegro Appassionato,” Opus 92.

The brass section will play the Dukas’ “La P/ ri Fanfare” as the opening piece. “La P/ ri” (“The Flower of Immortality”) is a ballet about a man’s search for immortality and his encounter with a mythical Peri. Written in 1912, it is the composer’s last major work.

Symphony No. 3 in F major, opus 90 by Johannes Brahms, was written in 1883. Often regarded as one of the last stalwarts of the Romantic Period, Brahms’ masterpieces have included symphonies, concertos, waltzes and lieder. The third movement has a famous theme which has appeared in a film, a documentary and lately in popular music of Carlos Santana, Serge Gainsbourg and the surf-rock band The Mermen.

Piano soloist Anton Nel will bring his talent to the performance of both the Ravel and Schumann piano selections.

Nel made his debut at the age of 12 after just two years of study. He appeared with orchestras and as a recitalist throughout North America, as well as South America, Europe and South Africa, his native country. He was honored during the world premiere of Stephen Paulus’ Piano Concerto, which was written for Nel and the Philharmonia Virtuosi in 2002. His recordings include Saint-Sa‘ns’ “Carnival of the Animals” for Virgin Classics (selected as Gramophone magazine’s “Critic’s Choices”), two solo albums on Musicmasters with music by Haydn and Saint-Sa‘ns, as well as the complete music for four hands by Rodrigo.

The concert will be at Grace Baptist Church, on the corner of McCoy Lane and College Drive.

Advertisement

Ticket outlets are Company’s Coming, Owens Music, Medina’s Jewelers, the Postal Service at the Town Center Mall, the Philharmonic office in the Community Cornerstone Building, 120 E. Jones, Suite 120 (hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays), or at the door the night of the performance.

Tickets cost $24 for the general public, $20 for seniors, and all student tickets are sold at the door for $12.

For more information, call the Philharmonic office at 925-0412.