Santa Rosa pianist Jeffrey Kahane will perform a benefit concert with the Santa Rosa Symphony at 7 p.m. May 22 at the Green Music Center's Weill Hall at Sonoma State University.
Kahane, who is the symphony's conductor laureate, will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 with the symphony led by Music Director Bruno Ferrandis.
"It is always a joy and privilege for me to come back to work with my dear friends at the Santa Rosa Symphony ... and to play for my 'hometown' audience," Kahane said in a press release. "I've chosen to play two of the concertos I love best."
Last month, Kahane announced that he will step down as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at the end of the 2016-'17 season.
At that time, he will have led that ensemble for 20 years, which will be the longest of any music director in the group's history. At the end of his tenure, he will be named Music Director Laureate.
In an email to the Los Angeles Times, Kahane said it was "time to pass the torch" and that he will continue his career as a soloist but has no plans to take on another music director position.
In his various posts as music director, Kahane has s been a tireless supporter of music education programs for youth.
The May 22 concert, entitled "Kahane and Ferrandis: One Night Only," is the symphony's main fundraiser for its music education programs, which serve 20,000 students around the county each year.
The Music for Our Schools programs include free concerts for youth, a listening program for elementary schools, a five-year string program for under-served youth, and a two-year music program aimed at under-served elementary schools.
The Training Young Musicians programs include a String Orchestra Workshop, a Preparatory Orchestra, a Repertory Orchestra, a conductor-less Young People's Chamber Orchestra, a Youth Orchestra and a Summer Music Academy.
This season, the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Orchestra was one of two in the U.S. to win a one-week residency with violinist Midori. It was also named the 2013 "Youth Orchestra of the Year" by the Classics Alive Foundation headed by violinist Lindsay Deutsch.
Tickets to the May 22 concert are $50-$125. An enhanced package, including an after-party in Prelude restaurant with live music, appetizers, wine, dessert and coffee, costs $250. To reserve: 546-8742 or santarosasymphony.com.
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