Gold Coast concert: BRAHMS LATITUDE this Sunday

The award winning Gold Coast Chamber Players bring the finest in chamber music to Lafayette and now to the city of Piedmont. Founded in 1987, GCCP distinguishes itself by its eclectic programming and by providing community access to leading musicians from throughout the world. The second of this season’s concerts, titled Brahms Latitude, will be performed twice, first at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Lafayette Library Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette, and then at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at the Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. in Piedmont. Dr. Martin Rokeach, provides a pre-concert talk 30 minutes prior to each performance. Due to injury, violinist Livia Sohn will be replaced by Lisa Lee of the Lee Trio (http://www.theleetrio.com/lisa...)

Trio Latitude 41, a happy meeting of European and American musicians, makes a rare Bay Area appearance with Gold Coast Chamber Players. Strad Magazine writes about the trio: “A high level of playing from an international trio…Juilliard School graduate, violinist, Livia Sohn performs with great sensitivity and is well-matched by cello playing by Luigi Piovano…Pianist Bernadene Blaha demonstrates fluid musicianship throughout...”Brahms Latitude is an immersion into the great romantic style of Johannes Brahms. Brahms’s Sonatensatz (“Sonata movement”) for violin and piano featuring Lisa Lee and Bernadene Blaha respectively, begins the program and is a musical treasure that tells many stories. First and foremost, it is one of the earliest effective pieces that vividly reveal Brahms’s full musical personality. Next on the program, featuring Italian cellist Luigi Piovano and pianist Bernadene Blaha, is his Sonata No. 1 for cello and piano. This is a sonata admired for its serious demeanor clearly established by the somber, if not brooding (but lyrical), character of the opening theme. Violist Pamela Freund-Striplen joins for Piano Quartet No. 1, op. 25 in g minor highlighting Brahms’ love of gypsy music.

“Trio Latitude 41’s performance is like overhearing an intimate conversation in someone’s great living room.”

Single tickets are $45 general admission, $40 senior (65+), and $15 for students. Discounted season tickets are available. Purchase online at www.gcplayers.org or by calling (925) 283-3728.