In the Spirit of Brahms
A stirring program of Brahms' violin sonatas paired with new miniatures inspired by his private notebook entries.
In the Spirit of Brahms features all three of Brahms’ sonatas for violin and piano, paired with new miniatures by composer Francine Trester. Inspired by Brahms’ treasured notebook, The Treasure Chest of the Young Kreisler, Trester’s works offer a modern reflection on the composer’s inner world and artistic influences. Narrator, Margaret E. Ward, Professor Emerita of German at Wellesley College, will offer excerpts from Brahms' notebooks.
Performers:
Lois Shapiro is a sought-after solo and collaborative pianist who has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad and has recorded on a number of labels, including Afka, Bridge, Channel Classics, and Centaur. A highly regarded teacher of both piano and chamber music, Lois has taught at Smith College, Brandeis University, the Longy School of Music, was a founding member of Triple Helix, and is currently on the faculties of Wellesley College, New England Conservatory, and Rivers School Conservatory of Music.
Praised for her “compelling” and “thought-provoking” work, violinist and composer Francine Trester is a professor of composition at Berklee College of Music. Her compositions have been performed nationally and internationally by acclaimed solo artists, chamber ensembles, and orchestras, and her work is available through the American Composers Alliance and Affetto/Naxos, Albany, Crystal, and Stone Records. As a violinist-composer, she attended Juilliard, Yale, and Tanglewood, and continues to maintain an active performance schedule.
Margaret E. Ward taught German at Wellesley College from 1971 to 2010 and helped establish the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. A former William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor, she received fellowships from NEH, Fulbright, and Mellon for her research on German literature, political drama, and women’s biography. Her publications include a study of Fanny Lewald and the memoir Missing Mila, Finding Family. In retirement, she teaches ESL to adults, sings in choral groups, and remains active in conservation efforts.
This event is free and open to the public.
For concert questions, please email concerts@wellesley.edu.
For accessibility questions, please email accessibility@wellesley.edu.
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Parking: Please use the West entry and park in the Davis Parking Facility.