This event is made possible by the generosity of Jim & Jo Ann Clapp.

When Brahms composed his Piano Trio No. 1 in B (Op. 8) in 1854, he was a clean-shaven, dashing young Romantic of 21. He completed his Piano Trio No. 2 in C (Op. 87) in 1882 sporting a 10” beard and a certain gravitas, aged 49. The two trios are a half-step and a world apart. B major’s key signature has 5 sharps. C major’s has 0 sharps (or flats). B major uses all of the black keys on a piano, C major only the white ones. One can infer, therefore, an inverse relationship between beard length and number of black piano keys used. What a difference a half-step makes. Like a good story, only some of this is true. Join the Volta Piano Trio and WWCMF Founder & Artistic Director Timothy Christie to separate fact from fiction, good information from bad, and discover the treasures within this extraordinary work by Brahms.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Piano Trio No. 2 in C, Op. 87

I. Allegro

II. Andante con moto

III. Scherzo. Presto — Poco meno presto

IV. Finale. Allegro giocoso

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Artists: Volta Piano Trio: Jennifer Caine Provine, violin; Oksana Ejokina, piano; Sally Singer Tuttle, cello; Timothy Christie, moderator