Cellist Sonja Myklebust

MTA BENEFIT CONCERT FEATURES FAURE, DVORAK, JANACEK AND BARBER WORKS

In a splendid concert Nov. 11 the Music Teachers Association of California, Sonoma County Chapter, presented their sixth annual benefit concert before 40 avid listeners in the Santa Rosa home of Helen Howard and Robert Yeats.

Highlights of the performances, involving eight musicians in various performing roles, were Fauré’s Cello Sonata No. 1, played vividly by Sonja Myklebust with pianist Abbie Gabrielson; soprano Christa Durand’s two Barber songs (with pianist Mary Beard); and pianist Peggy Nance’s evocative playing of selections from Janacek’s “On an Overgrown Path” and the shimmering Dvorák “On the Holy Mountain,” Op. 85, No. 13 (Peotické Nálady).

Additional performances during the afternoon included Granados’ Los Requiebros from the Goyescas Suite (Carol Schindler); Esther Judson’s piano arrangement by John W. Schaum of first movement themes from Grieg’s A Minor Piano Concerto; and Paul Mihaly’s playing of Chopin’s A-Flat Major Waltz (Op. 42), following a piano transcription of Fauré’s magical mezzo-soprano song Claire de Lune.

Lavish intermission refreshment was provided by Ms. Beard and MTA branch member Gwen Churchill.