Schwartz, an award-winning pianist based in San Francisco, built an international following with nearly two decades of work in New York. Considered one of the finest pianists of his generation, Schwartz performs, both as soloist and with symphony orchestras, worldwide, and recently recorded Romero's "Spirals" for the piano and orchestra with the San Francisco Camerata.

The concert, which will focus entirely on French composers, will feature music by Claude Debussy, Cesar Franck and Francis Poulenc.

The Steinway Society's founders built an organization that would ensure that piano lovers of all ages in the Bay Area would have access to unique musical experiences for years to come.

Since 1995, a vision of in-home recitals reminiscent of salon concerts of the past as well as a group that could support young, aspiring pianists has helped shape the Society's success. Local sponsorships, private donors and the access to the "perfect" Steinway Model B make concerts with Robert Schwartz a reality.

As tradition mandates, the Society's Steinway is signed by Henry Z. Steinway, the great-grandson of the founder, and has since been autographed by well-known artists who have performed on the piano, which sits in Le Petit Trianon Theatre.

The next Steinway Society concert will welcome Jon Nakamatsu, acclaimed local artist and 1997 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, on Jan. 3 and 4 next year.

Robert Schwartz performs Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 North 5th St. in downtown San Jose. Tickets are $15­$25. Call 408.246.4200 or go to www.steinwaythebayarea.com.

Youth Symphony

San Jose Youth Symphony has a host of events planned for the fall season, including an appearance of the Flute Choir, the group's advanced flute players, at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Santana Row on Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

A fall concert with the Concert Orchestra and Flute Choir is scheduled at Lincoln Glen Church on Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

For those looking for some relief after the gluttony of Turkey Day, San Jose Youth Symphony's Philharmonic Orchestra, the organization's premiere orchestra, performs a fall concert at the Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 22 at 3 p.m.

Purchase tickets online at www.sjys.org or call 408.885.9220.