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Two Concerts of Chamber Music in One Weekend Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project Concerts on February 8 and 9 Feature Players and Programs Hand-Picked by Heiichiro Ohyama

Ohyama and Top International Players Perform Ambitious Programs in Intimate Setting of Lobero Theatre

Santa Barbara, CA, January 9, 2020 – The new Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project presents two concerts in one weekend featuring top international performers and ambitious musical selections. Lobero LIVE presents this new collaboration with Maestro Heiichiro Ohyama who hand-picked the players and curated programs. Also a celebrated violist, he performs in the two concerts, held Saturday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 9 at 4 p.m.

Local audiences know Ohyama in his past role as Music Director and Conductor of the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. As Artistic and Music Director of this new Lobero Chamber Music Project, he selected violinist Benjamin Beilman as Musical Advisor to aid in the creation of the new series. The other players are internationally renowned artists who have active solo, ensemble, and teaching careers, including former members of the Tokyo String Quartet and of the Beaux Arts Trio.

"Heiichiro has successfully started several chamber music festivals and series by focusing on two major factors: top caliber musicians and legendary pieces," said Beilman. "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."

Tickets for the Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project are on sale now at Lobero.org, or by calling the Lobero Box Office at 805.963.0761. Tickets are $106 for VIP, $46 for section A, with student and senior tickets available for $26. Prices include $6 facility fee; other fees may also apply. Valid Student ID required for student ticket purchase.

About the Saturday, February 8 Program:

Beilman performs in two works on the February 8 program, including Prokofiev's Sonata for Two Violins in C major, Op. 56, 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 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, Op. 25. 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, Op. 16a 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.

About the Sunday, February 9 Program:

The players reunite, with Kavafian on violin, to perform another chamber music piece by Brahms, his Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34. Beilman describes it as, "brooding in a wonderful way, and both passionate and thrilling for the audience."

Kavafian and Schwizgebel also play Beethoven's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major, Op. 12 No. 2. Also written early in his career, in 1797-98, 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.

Biographies:

Heiichiro Ohyama, Artistic and Music Director, Viola Born in Kyoto, Ohyama won the Music Competition of in 1966. He graduated from London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1970 and continued his studies at Indiana University. He was named Principal Violist of the in 1979, a position he held for 13 years, and he also served as the Philharmonic's Assistant Conductor under Andre Previn. In addition to his position at the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Ohyama was Founding Artistic Director of the La Jolla Music Society's "SummerFest" and has served as Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Principal Chief Conductor of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra, Principal Chief Conductor of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the Nagasaki Music Festival. He also served as Professor of Music at U.C. Santa Barbara for nearly 30 years. In addition to being Artistic and Music Director of the Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project, Ohyama currently holds the positions of Artistic Director of Chanel Pygmalion Chamber Music Series in Tokyo and Artistic Director of “Music Dialogue” (Japan).

Benjamin Beilman, Musical Advisor, 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.” Beilman plays the “Engleman” Stradivarius from 1709 on loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.

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, including appearances with Beilman, 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.

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 New Mexico. 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.

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 , 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.

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The Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project is supported by American Riviera Bank. Lobero LIVE is funded in part by the Events and Festivals Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. Additional support is provided by the Santa Barbara Independent.

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CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project

New Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project concert features Beethoven's Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, and Prokofiev's Sonata for Two Violins in C Major. Performers include Louis Schwizgebel, piano; Benjamin Beilman, violin (in the Brahms); Ida Kavafian, violin (in the Beethoven); Heiichiro Ohyama, viola, and Clive Greensmith, cello. Tickets and information at www.lobero.org and 805.963.0761.

Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 4 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project

Features Brahms' Piano Quintet in F minor, Beethoven's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major, and Kodály's Duo for Violin and Cello. Louis Schwizgebel, piano (Beethoven & Brahms), Benjamin Beilman, violin (Kodály & Brahms); Ida Kavafian, violin (Beethoven & Brahms), Heiichiro Ohyama, viola (Brahms), and Clive Greensmith, cello (Kodály & Brahms). Tickets and information at www.lobero.org and 805.963.0761.