Spanish pianist helps symphony wrap up season

For the Mirror

The Federal Way Symphony will ends its 2005-06 season this weekend with an exclamation point –– guest artist Daniel del Pino, a Spanish concert pianist.

In shows Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., del Pino will play Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G.”

A. Brian Davenport, conductor of the symphony, said del Pino’s appearance is “a fantastic opportunity for Federal Way to hear a world-class pianist performing a brilliant piano concerto right in their own back yard. It’s a concert that classical music lovers will be talking about for quite some time.”

Del Pino is considered one of the leading Spanish concert pianists in the international scene. He is a guest at music festivals worldwide and has won prizes at national and international piano competitions.

Born in Lebanon in 1972 to Spanish parents, he studied piano at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Musical of Madrid, went on to receive a masters degree in piano performance from Yale University, and then participated in the Artist Certificate program at Southern Methodist University. Since 2002, he has taught piano at the Toledo Conservatory in Spain.

Davenport and orchestra will complete the classical concert program with Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo,” a composition inspired by American folklore.

The concerts will be at St. Luke’s Church, located at 515 S. 312th St. in Federal Way. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors. Admission is free for anyone 18 and under.

Tickets are available in advance from symphony office at 529-9857 and will be sold at the concert.

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