Cellist Gita Ladd and pianist John Novacek join forces for two epics of the cello/piano repertoire. Beethoven’s A major Sonata, a work of both tenderness and heroism, is the first genuine masterpiece of the genre. Rachmaninov’s G minor Sonata is a titanic work, music of searing romanticism and transcendental virtuosity. For the concert’s second half, the duo is joined by violinist Airi Yoshioka in a performance of Schubert’s stirring, sunny, and sublime Piano Trio in B-flat major, a pinnacle of the chamber music repertory.

The program features:

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata No. 3 in A major for piano and cello, Op. 69
• Allegro ma non tanto
• Scherzo: Allegro molto
• Adagio cantabile—Allegro vivace

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)
Sonata in G minor for cello and piano, Op. 19
• Lento—Allegro moderato
• Allegro scherzando
• Andante
• Allegro mosso

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Trio No. 1 in B-flat major for piano, violin, and cello, D. 898 (Op. 99)
• Allegro moderato
• Andante un poco mosso
• Scherzo: Allegro
• Rondo: Allegro vivace