News Article

October is Brahms Blast month in Spokane and Gonzaga University will sponsor a host of activities including the Spokane Symphony Orchestra concert that begins at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6 at the INB Performing Arts Center – formerly known as the Spokane Opera House.

The concert will feature the Brahms Concerto for Violin with guest artist Jennifer Frautschi; and the Brahms Concerto for Piano No. 1 with guest artist Arnaldo Cohen. Student tickets for the concert are $9 with a GU voucher or $10 with student ID; or $5 between 6-6:30 p.m. the evening of the concert only $5 cash with ID (if available). For all other ticket prices, call the Spokane Symphony ticket office at (509) 624-1200.

The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra will salute Brahms in its opening concert at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23 at the MET Performing Arts Center (901 W. Sprague Ave.). Conducted by GU music faculty member Kevin Hekmatpanah, the orchestra program will consist of Brahms’ Hungarian Dances and his First Piano Concerto as well as the world premiere composition titled, “Aloysius Overture” (based on Brahms’ themes) composed by GU music faculty composer Rev. Kevin Waters, S.J.; the soloist will be pianist John Pickett. Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for non-GU students and seniors and will be available at the door. (Tickets are free to GU students, faculty and staff).

Also this month, Gonzaga will host two chamber concerts honoring Brahms’ music. The first concert begins at 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15 and will present the Brahms’ Second String Quartet and his First Piano Quartet featuring Tracy Dunlop and Charlotte Bickford, violins; Jeanette Wee-Yang, viola; Kevin Hekmatpanah, cello and John Pickett, piano. The second concert is at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29 and will present the two Brahms’ Sonatas for Cello and Piano. The musicians are Hekmatpanah, cello and Steve Radcliffe, piano. Both concerts are free and open to the public and will be held in Room 101 of the GU Administration Building. For more information, contact the GU music department at (509) 323-6733, or visit its Web site at www.gonzagamusic.com.