Gold Coast concert: CZECH MATE

The award winning Gold Coast Chamber Players bring the finest in chamber music to Lafayette and the surrounding areas. Founded in 1987, GCCP distinguishes itself by its eclectic programming and by providing community access to leading musicians from throughout the world. The fourth of this season’s five concerts, titled, ‘Czech Mate’ will be performed on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 7:30PM at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette.

‘Czech Mate’ is the second in a series of three nationalistic concerts that began in February with a sold out Romanian program and will conclude in May with a French program. The Boston Trio makes its Gold Coast debut this March by joining violist Pamela Freund-Striplen in a curated program of Czech Masters. “Whenever this trio plays, drop everything and go hear them!” hailed the Boston Globe on the occasion of The Boston Trio’s Tanglewood debut at Ozawa Hall. Since their formation in 1997, the trio has quickly become one of today’s most exciting chamber ensembles. Acclaimed for their superb sense of ensemble and wondrous balance, these virtuosic and profound musicians are committed to creating exceptional and daring performances of standard and contemporary repertoire.

Violinist Irina Muresanu, cellist Jonah Ellsworth, and pianist Heng-Jin Park each have distinguished careers as soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and have appeared with major orchestras and premier chamber music festivals throughout the United States and Europe. Cellist Mr. Ellsworth has performed as soloist with the Boston Symphony, Akron Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, Symphony by the Sea and New Bedford Symphony. Additionally, Ellsworth attended the Marlboro Music Festival from 2014-2016. Ms. Muresanu, who has appeared as soloist with the Boston Philharmonic, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, and other top international orchestras, is the recipient of top prizes at the Montreal International Competition and the Queen Elizabeth Violin Competition. Ms. Park, who made her solo debut with the Boston Pops at the age of 15, is the founding member of the Boston Trio and founder and artistic director of Halcyon Music Festival.

The program features three generations of Czech composers. Bedřich Smetana, emerges as the first nationalistic Czech composers. His Piano Trio is a particularly emotional work having been written on the heels of the composer’s daughter’s death. Josef Suk’s Elegie, op. 23 for piano trio sets the tone for the first half of the program. Suk was a leading violinist, composer, and a student of Antonin Dvořák’s. In fact, he married his teacher’s daughter! No Czech program would be complete without Dvořák and his Piano Quartet, op. 87, filled with folk melodies and the Czech spirit completes ‘Czech Mate’.

Tickets are $45 general admission, $40 senior (65+), and $15 for students and include a pre-concert talk by musicologist Kai Christiansen at 7PM. Purchase online at www.gcplayers.org or by calling (925) 283-3728. Concerts sell out so please reserve early. ####