Classical music buffs will have a rare opportunity this weekend. The Des Moines Symphony welcomes violinist Benny Kim and his brother, cellist Eric Kim, for performances at the Des Moines Civic Center Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

The symphony, led by music director and conductor Joseph Jiunta will begin with Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Violoncello (“Double”), featuring the Kims. The Double Concerto is a piece rarely played because of its difficulty. The fortuitous appearance of both Kim brothers with the orchestra provides a great opportunity for Iowans to hear this famous piece.

“Brahms’ was a composer who challenged a lot of people,” said Paul Zastrow, the symphony’s Public Relations and Marketing Director.

“It is difficult to find two people with the stylistic and musical ability to play this piece. When you have two virtuosos who can play it, you take advantage of that.”

The symphony will also perform Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

Benny Kim is a Juilliard graduate and has appeared with the Des Moines Symphony before. During the 1990-91 season, he performed Glazunov’s Violin Concerto with the orchestra, and during the 1991-92 season, he returned to present Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. He has also played with many other leading American orchestras, including the Chicago, San Diego and St. Louis symphonies.

Eric Kim, also a graduate of Juilliard, has performed world-wide as a recitalist, chamber musician and orchestral soloist since the age of 15. He appeared at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York last season and is currently principal cellist with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He recently joined violinist Pinchas Zukerman in his “Chamber Music with Pinchas Zukerman” series.

“Concert Preludes,” a discussion of the concert program lead by music teacher Arlene DeVries, will be held one hour before the concerts in the East Lobby of the Des Moines Civic Center.

Students can take advantage of Student Rush Tickets which are only $5, and go on sale from noon to showtime Saturday and Sunday. Regular ticket prices range from $10.50 to $28.50 and can be purchased at the Civic Center Box Office or by calling Ticketmaster at 243-1888.

The Des Moines Symphony’s 1995-96 season will feature many prominent musicians, including bass/baritone Simon Estes, pianist Alexander Toradze and harmonica player Robert Bonfiglio.

As a part of its Sesquicentennial Celebration, the world premiere of a work by Grinnell College professor Jonathan Chenette will be performed by the symphony and the Grinnell College Choir.

For information on the season and season tickets, contact the Des Moines Symphony sales manager at 243-1160.