The Los Angeles Wind and Piano Sextet will perform at the upcoming Restoration Concert on Sunday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m. in the historic Library Community Room in South Pasadena, California. The program will showcase an engaging mix of music by renowned composers including Jacques Ibert, Ravel, Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Adriene Albert, Rachmaninoff, and Holst.
“The Restoration Concerts Committee, a part of the nonprofit organization, The Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, has a goal to bring world-class music at an affordable price to the concertgoers in South Pasadena and surrounding communities,” states the event announcement.
The sextet features acclaimed pianists Bernadene Blaha and Kevin Fitz-Gerald, who have earned international recognition for their performances. Blaha has been described by Piano and Keyboard magazine as “a pianist of integrity, with lovely sonorities and total clarity of line,” while Fitz-Gerald has garnered praise for his “hypnotically powerful and precise” pianism and “dynamic and distinguished” interpretations.
Joining them are four accomplished wind musicians: Susan Greenberg on flute, Jonathan Davis on oboe, Sérgio Coelho on clarinet, and Judith Farmer on bassoon. Amy Jo Rhine, appointed by Gustavo Dudamel as third horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the 2014/15 season, completes the ensemble.
The Los Angeles Times has described Greenberg’s playing as “brilliant,” “elegant,” and “supple,” and has lauded her “panache” and “musical projection.” Davis plays regularly with orchestras throughout Southern California and is an active studio player, recording dozens of movies ranging from “Spiderman 2” to “Moana” to “Inside Out 2.”
Coelho’s talent has been recognized internationally, including winning 1st prize in the AYS and USC Concerto competitions and achieving 3rd prize in the 8th Saverio Mercadante International Clarinet Competition in Italy. Critics have described Farmer’s playing as “impeccable” (American Record Guide), “masterly” (Fanfare Magazine) and “brilliant” (Kronenzeitung, Austria).
Before moving to Southern California in 2012, Rhine spent nine years in St. Louis, where she enjoyed a diverse professional life teaching and playing regularly with the St. Louis Symphony.
The program includes several notable compositions such as Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, and Holst’s Jupiter from The Planets. These selections highlight the diverse talents of the ensemble members, all of whom enjoy distinguished careers as soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestra players.
The concert will take place in the Library Community Room at 1115 El Centro St. in South Pasadena. Tickets are available at the door for $25 or online for $26 at:
https://www.
As the name suggests, net proceeds from the concerts provide for restorations, enhancements, and other benefits to the South Pasadena Library and Community Room. For more information, interested parties can contact restorationconcerts@gmail.com.
