By Ted AYALA

It’s Valentine’s Day next week as some of you may know. For some, it’s a matter of life and death as forgetting this crucial date may result in a rolling pin to the head a la Andy Kapp from your significant other.

For those of you still scrambling to find a special place to take your squeeze that day, never fear – your local musical institutions have got you covered.

Get an early start on Sunday, Feb. 12 with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in a performance of Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 7” and Gershwin’s “Piano Concerto” at Occidental College’s Thorne Hall. Bryan Pezzone is the guest soloist that evening.

On Valentine’s Day itself, locals will have to choose between two fine options.

The Pasadena Symphony presents a piano duo recital with pianists Esther Keel and Yana Reznik in music by Ravel, Brahms, and Piazzola, among others, at Noor Restaurant. Bring a date along to charm and woo her with your cultural savoir-faire. Or come solo and meet other singles who share your lofty interests in Impressionist era piano music, fine wines and collecting cats. Either way, it’s sure to be an evening to remember.

Or if you prefer something different, Camerata Pacifica will be presenting a chamber recital of music by John Harbison, Bright Sheng, Robert Schumann and Beethoven at the Huntington Library starting at 8 p.m. Tickets for this event are selling fast, so call soon.

For more information on these events:

Santa Cecilia Orchestra: www.scorchestra.org.

Pasadena Symphony: http://www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org/two-pianos-four-hands-a-cocktail-chic-valentine’s-day-performance-and-conversation-with-yana-reznick-and-esther-keel/

Camerata Pacifica: http://www.cameratapacifica.org/tickets/2011_2012/feb.htm.

  Ted Ayala