‘Pianist Dynasty Battles’

Continued from Page 1 is taking the classical world by storm with his charisma and musicianship,” shared Maestro Parnther. “We are so fortunate we were able to collaborate with him on this upcoming concert where we will be treated to a world premiere encore in addition to his outstanding Mozart.”

Battles were invited to play composer George Walker’s Piano Sonata No.1 in a private engagement at the distinguished composer’s home. In addition, he recently performed a piano quartet at the Walt Disney Concert Hall at the invitation of the LA Philharmonic. Battles soon after performed at Barbican Centre Hall in London in a program led by the LA Philharmonic music director, Gustavo Dudamel. He was also a solo performer at the 2017 Colour of Music Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.

Interestingly, the Mozart piano concerto to be performed was a favorite of Beethoven, whose Seventh Symphony was the inspiration for awardwinning composer Carlos Simon’s Fate May Conquer, the third piece scheduled for this historic opening concert.

Simon is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, whose music ranges from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel, and neoromanticism. Simon is the Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He was nominated for a 2023 GRAMMY award for his latest album, Requiem for the Enslaved.

Simon earned his doctorate degree at the University of Michigan. He has also received degrees from Georgia State University and Morehouse College. He is an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Sinfonia Fraternity and a member of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Society of Composers International, and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society. Simon also received the 2021

Sphinx Medal of Excellence, the highest honor bestowed by the Sphinx Organization to recognize extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. In addition, he was named a Sundance/Time Warner Composer Fellow for his work on film and moving images.

Ticket Availability and Performance Location

Single tickets for this and all SBSO concerts are available online or by calling the box office at (909) 381-5388. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Single ticket prices range from $20 - $100, with students and active military always just $15. Moneysaving season subscriptions - in bundles of seven, five, or three- are also available. The historic California Theatre is located at 562 W. Fourth Street in downtown San Bernardino. Free, lighted parking is available directly across from the venue. Doors open for this concert at 6 p.m. Tickets are also sold at the venue on concert night; however, their availability cannot be guaranteed.

LENT – PURIFICATION & PREPARATION FOR SPRING

Throughout history humanity has created rituals and celebrations that reflect the different seasons. The rituals indicate and signify the seasons, the elements (fire, earth, air, water) and the different aspects of light and dark. Rituals help humanity maintain a rhythm with nature, the seasons, the Sun, moon and stars, the past, present and future and with one another.

Lent (“lenctene” – when days lengthen just before Spring), is one of those ritual times. Lent (outward sign and external name), which begins this Wednesday (February 22, early this year) is a time (40 days and 40 nights) of purification and preparation for Spring and Easter (Resurrection festival) as well as the Three Spring (Aries, Taurus, Gemini) full moon festivals.

Lent always begins on the day after Mardi Gras (Tuesday), on Ash Wednesday. There is a ritual in the Catholic Church using ashesreminding us that we are spiritual beings clothed (temporarily) in form and matter. The Ash Wednesday ritualthe priest places a cross of ashes (made from burned palms) on the forehead (Anja center, 3rd eye, place of spiritual direction) of parishioners while saying the words

“From dust thou art (you were made of matter) and unto dust thou (the body) shalt return.”

These words teach us that the physical body, made of elemental matter (the elements of), returns to the Earth at death. However, within our body (within each cell) the Spirit of God dwells. This is the spark of Life, the Light of Life, the Pisces Light that saves the world. This spirit within us does not die.

During Lent, preparing for the new life of Spring, we cleanse and purify our bodies, we change habits, preparing to make ourselves new (again).

Our actions during Lent imitate