Beethoven Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major, Op.12 No. 2
Kodály Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7
Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34
The Lobero Theatre Foundation and musical director Heiichiro Ohyama have collaborated to produce a new series of chamber music concerts featuring top international performers and ambitious musical selections. Maestro Ohyama has hand-picked the players and curated the programs for the series, which concludes with two concerts this weekend. This Chamber Music Project is imbued with the spirit of camaraderie and continues a tradition of presenting chamber music performances of the highest quality at the Lobero Theatre.
The Sunday concert features Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor. Music Advisor Benjamin Beilman describes it as, “brooding in a wonderful way, and both passionate and thrilling for the audience.” Performing are violinist Ida Kavafian, Beilman’s teacher at the Curtis Institute and former member of the Beaux Arts Trio; Ohyama on viola; celebrated young pianist Louis Schwizgebel; and cellist Clive Greensmith, a 14-year member of the Tokyo String Quartet.
Kavafian and Schwizgebel also play Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major, Op. 12 No. 2. Written early in his career, in 1797 to 1798, this violin sonata shows the young, witty, and musically elegant Beethoven who charmed the aristocracy of Vienna.
Beilman and Greensmith perform Kodály’s Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7, one of the most demanding works from the string literature. Two instruments are used to sound like everything from Hungarian village string band to a full orchestra.
Louis Schwizgebel, Piano
Louis Schwizgebel has been described as, “a genuine virtuoso, a spirited young genius with real depth” (Fono Forum) and an, “insightful musician.” (New York Times) He is praised repeatedly for his poise, elegance, imagination, expressive lyricism and crystalline articulation. He performs regularly in recital and with the finest orchestras across the globe and has received critical acclaim for his recordings. In solo recital and chamber music, Schwizgebel performs regularly in the major festivals and halls including most recently London’s Wigmore, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Rheingau Festival, Klavierfest Ruhr, Lille Piano Festival and Singapore International Piano Festival.
Benjamin Beilman, Violin
Born in 1989, American violinist Benjamin Beilman is winning plaudits across the globe for his compelling and impassioned performances, his deep rich tone and searing lyricism. The Scotsman has described him as, “a remarkable talent, delivering playing of rare insight and generosity, as captivating as it is gloriously entertaining,” and the New York Times has praised his, “handsome technique, burnished sound, and quiet confidence [which] showed why he has come so far so fast.”
Ida Kavafian, Violin
2019 marks the versatile Ida Kavafian’s 35th year and final year as Artistic Director of the acclaimed festival, Music from Angel Fire in NM. Frequent artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for over forty years and former Violinist of the renowned Beaux Arts Trio, she presently performs as a soloist, in recital, with her sister Ani, as guest with distinguished ensembles and as a faculty member at The Curtis Institute.
Heiichiro Ohyama, Viola
Born in Kyoto, Heiichiro Ohyama studied at the Toho Music High School and College. He graduated from London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1970. Ohyama was Founding Artistic Director of the La Jolla Music Society’s “SummerFest” in 1986, Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival in 1992, Principal Chief Conductor of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra from 1999-2004, Principal Chief Conductor of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2008, and Music Director of the Nagasaki Music Festival from 2007-2009. He holds the position of the Artistic Director and Music Director of the Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project (USA), Artistic Director of Chanel Pygmalion Chamber Music Series in Tokyo and the Artistic Director of “Music Dialogue” (Japan).
Clive Greensmith, Cello
Clive Greensmith has a distinguished career as soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. From 1999 until 2013 he was a member of the world-renowned Tokyo String Quartet, giving over one hundred performances each year in the most prestigious international venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, London’s Southbank Centre, Paris Châtelet, Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna Musikverein, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. As a soloist, he has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, and the RAI Orchestra of Rome.
