Beethoven Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 16a
Prokofiev Sonata for Two Violins in C major Op. 56
Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
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.
Also a celebrated violist, Ohyama performs in the two concerts, which have completely different programs.
“Heiichiro has successfully started several chamber music festivals and series by focusing on two major factors: top-caliber musicians and legendary pieces,” said Benjamin Beilman, Musical Advisor to the new series. “The artists all have had rewarding musical experiences together, so we have an innate understanding of each other. So, we decided to start with key repertoire that is meaningful to us on stage and to our relationship with the audience, hopefully whetting an appetite for future concerts.”
Beilman performs in two works on the Saturday, February 8 program, including Prokofiev’s Sonata for Two Violins in C major with violinist Ida Kavafian, his teacher at the Curtis Institute and a former member of the Beaux Arts Trio. It was composed while Prokofiev was visiting Paris in 1932 for the first concert of Tritone, a musical society he directed with composers Milhaud, Honegger and Poulenc.
Beilman and Ohyama are joined by celebrated young pianist Louis Schwizgebel and cellist Clive Greensmith (14-year member of the Tokyo String Quartet) for in Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor. The Brahms is known for its rollicking finale, which sounds like music from Hungarian café played by an ensemble of virtuoso soloists.
Beethoven’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major is performed by Schwizgebel, Kavafian, Ohyama, and Greensmith. Written in 1796, early in Beethoven’s career, it was intended to show off his skills as a pianist. It features elaborate and virtuosic piano writing and two opportunities for cadenzas.
The music making continues on the following day, Sunday, February 9 at 4 p.m., with an entirely different program.
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.
