Description

The final concert of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island 2012-2013 Chamber Music Series features noted musicians Nola Allen (piano and harpsichord), Teo Benson (violin), Frances Kenney (oboe) and Kathryn Vinson (mezzosoprano) with commentary by Eileen Soskin. The program will include Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100, by Johannes Brahms; movements from two Bach sonatas; and songs by British composers Gurney, Stanford, Head, Warlock, and Williams.  The Brahms violin sonata was written in Thun, Switzerland in 1886 and is considered the most lyrical and most difficult of Brahms' three violin sonatas. Like the music of Bach and Brahms, the program of British songs is harmonically quite complex, but much more contemporary, and offers a wide range of drama and emotion. The performers: NOLA ALLEN, piano, graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory where she majored in organ and piano. A  professional accompanist and chamber musician, she has toured with the Seattle Ladies Musical Club Young Artist Competition winners throughout Washington State.  Whidbey Island native TEO BENSON, violin, is a member of the Tacoma Symphony and performs frequently in the Seattle area with an indie folk rock band.  He directs the Halcyon School of Music in Seattle. FRANCES KENNEY, oboe, earned her bachelor's degree at Xavier University. She performs with the Saratoga Orchestra and teaches music at the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. KATHRYN VINSON, mezzosoprano, received her Bachelor of Arts in Music degree at the University of Washington.  She has sung principal operatic roles in Germany and the United Arab Emirates and has been featured on several film soundtracks.