Piano soloists join area symphonies

Spokane Symphony soloist Cecile Licad isn’t the only pianist who will take center stage locally this weekend. In other events:

•The Coeur d’Alene Sympony will premiere a piece by Spokane jazz pianist Brent Edstrom at its “Christmas Showcase” concert Saturday at North Idaho College.

Edstrom’s six-movement, 45-minute “Concerto for Jazz Piano and Orchestra” will highlight his playing in both jazz and classical styles.

In addition to appearances with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra and his own trio, Edstrom is an accomplished composer and arranger who has performed with the likes of Clark Terry, Ernie Watts, Lee Konitz, Jon Faddis, Bob Berg and Doc Severinsen.

Saturday’s program also includes Prokofiev’s “Kije Suite” as well as holiday pops selections and a singalong.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in NIC’s Schuler Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for students, through the symphony (208-765-3833) or TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).

•Brooklyn-based pianist Simone Dinnerstein will join the Gonzaga University Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto in a concert Sunday at the Bing Crosby Theater.

Dinnerstein, a graduate of The Juilliard School, began attracting attention in 1995, at age 33, with an acclaimed recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations that was picked up by the Telarc label.

She recently returned from her debut recital at the Berlin Philharmonie, which was recorded live for release next year by Telarc.

Sunday’s program also includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major and Suppe’s “Morning, Noon and Night” overture.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Bing, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, through the GU Music Department (509-323-6733) or at the door.