The Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay...

The Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay will bring a little night music to Torrance this weekend. On Saturday evening, Music Director Frances Steiner will conduct pieces by Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.

Russian pianist Leonid Gelfgat’s performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is expected to be the highlight. The prizewinning pianist, who recently emigrated to the United States, studied at the Moscow Conservatory.

“He’s a brilliant young pianist; he’s the star of the evening,” said Robert Miller, president of the Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay.

What: Chamber Orchestra of the South Bay.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Torrance Cultural Arts Center, James Armstrong Theater, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance.

Background: The recipient of annual grants from the California Arts Council, the chamber orchestra is the only professional classical orchestra in the South Bay. Founded in 1983, the group regularly plays a five-concert season at the Norris Theatre for the Performing Arts in Rolling Hills Estates. Organizers are hoping to make the Torrance venue a second home for the orchestra, which has played in the 500-seat concert hall on three occasions.

“It’s an important first step in the musical life of Torrance,” Miller said.

Saturday night’s featured works are Mozart’s Overture to “The Impresario,” Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Schubert’s Symphony No. 2.

Steiner, one of the few female conductors in the country, is a concert cellist and professor of music at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Tickets: $20. If the event does not sell out, students will be able to purchase tickets for $5.

Information: (310) 373-3151.