From the tip top

There was a wonderful recital last night at Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Carter Brey played three cello sonatas with pianist Christopher O'Riley.

The program of Richard Strauss, Francis Poulenc and Frederic Chopin was well attended, and showcased great music and friendship. O'Riley quipped after the Strauss that despite Brey being over the age of 18, he did pretty well (a joke referencing O'Riley's NPR and PBS show From The Top that features young musicians under the age of 18, heard on KPAC and KTXI Saturday mornings at 10am)

There was also an encore, Astor Piazzolla's Grand Tango, which Brey explained had been sent to him from the composer after their interaction at a music festival in Santa Fe as well as time spent together in New York, a piece originally written for the great Mstislav Rostropovich. A friend in the audience commented it was so appropriate as Brey's playing evoked the late Russian cellist, and I have to agree.

See an interview with O'Riley at the TPR studios here.

The recital was presented by the Tuesday Music Club, one of the oldest musical organizations, and continues next month with “OPERA TO BROADWAY” at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church on November 18 at 2pm. They'll also feature the Zephyr Trio (Lady Jeanne Galway, flute; Jonathan Feldman, piano; Darrett Adkins, cello) and also pianist Jon Nakamatsu next year.