Photography by Rory Earnshaw
"Free to Be Myself:" Piano Trios by Beach, Clarke, and Trimble
Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Don Tatzin Community Hall at Lafayette Library
3491 Mount Diablo Blvd
Lafayette, CA
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Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum
734 Marin St.
Vallejo, CA
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Benicia Chamber Players’ April program takes inspiration from Irish composer Joan Trimble’s philosophy: “I am free to be myself regardless of fashion.” Rather than adhering to a single school or style, Trimble embraced artistic freedom—an ethos reflected in Free to Be Myself, a program of piano trios by Amy Beach, Rebecca Clarke, and Joan Trimble. Written within a span of just 20 years, these works highlight the distinctive voices of three virtuoso musicians—American, English, and Irish—who later became deeply dedicated educators. Trimble’s award-winning Phantasy for Piano Trio carries a nod to Irish traditional music in its lush and melancholy character. Beach’s final composition, Piano Trio, Op. 150, showcases her commanding pianism, shifting between brooding lyricism and passionate intensity. Closing the program, Clarke’s trio is an unrelenting, emotionally charged work, weaving a single motivic thread through three movements. Join us for an evening of extraordinary piano trio music!
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About the performers:
Founded in 2019, the award-winning Verve Trio has established itself as a diverse ensemble of technical precision and artistic flair. Comprised of pianist Chia-Lin Yang, violinist Elbert Tsai and cellist Brady Anderson, the trio has engaged audiences with creative programs combining familiar masterpieces with an array of duo sonatas and lesser-known gems that often highlight the influence of tango and jazz. They have performed at prestigious venues throughout California including the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Burlingame Music Club Concert Series, Stoneridge Creek Concert Series, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, and Barbro Osher Recital Hall at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Upcoming highlights of the 2024-25 season include a return engagement at the Santa Cruz Chamber Players and concerts at the Taipei National Concert Hall, Ira F. Brilliant Beethoven Center, and San Francisco Flower Piano Festival. The Verve Trio members are also widely known as pedagogues, giving masterclasses at Banff, Oberlin, University of Michigan, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and Seattle Young Artists Music Festival Association.
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BENICIA CHAMBER PLAYERS
2024-2025 SEASON
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Cultural Spheres: Frank and Beethoven String Quartets
September 14, 7:30pm (Pleasanton)
September 15, 3pm (Benicia)
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From the Old World to the New: String Quartets in America
November 9, 7:30pm (Pleasanton)
November 10, 3pm (Benicia)​​​​​
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For the Love of Music and Words: For the Love of Music and Words: String Sextets and Concerto by Bacewicz, Schoenberg and Strauss
May 24, 7:30pm (Piedmont)
May 25, 3pm (Benicia)
About
Founded in 2006, the Benicia Chamber Players’ mission is to provide a classical chamber music concert series to underserved East Bay areas including Benicia, Pleasanton and Vallejo. Our aim is to cultivate a community of local and other world-class professional musicians with a love of playing chamber music who are dedicated to sharing that love with audiences.
We are a member of Intersection for the Arts. Intersection for the Arts is a historic nonprofit that provides people working in the arts and culture with fiscal sponsorship and resources to grow.