The Poulenc Trio musicians are known worldwide as masters of classical and contemporary literature that transcends into their music.
The group, based in Baltimore, Md., has performed in Italy, Russia, New York and Washington D.C., and this weekend they bring their elegant sound to the Community Concert organizations in the Lower Valley and Tri-Cities.
The trio is the first of four concerts in the Lower Valley Community Concert season and starts at 3 p.m. Nov. 20 in the auditorium at Sunnyside High School.
The group's Tri-City performance is the second concert in the Tri-Cities' Community Concert season. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 in the auditorium at Richland High School.
A season pass to any Community Concert organization will get you into either Poulenc Trio concert.
Poulenc creates a sound that blends oboe, bassoon and piano for a unique musical experience, said Liz Donaldson, with the Lower Valley Community Concert group.
"We take great pride in choosing artists that offer a variety of music from classical, jazz, bluegrass as well as some lighter fare," Donaldson said. "And this trio will not disappoint. They are established on the international stage, and their unique sound has garnered an impressive list of compositions commissioned (specifically) for the ensemble."
Poulenc Trio is made up of oboist Vladimir Lande, assistant conductor of the Johns Hopkins Symphony Orchestra; bassoonist Bryan Young, principal bassoonist with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and pianist Irina Kaplan, Peabody Institute faculty member at Johns Hopkins University.
Season tickets to the Lower Valley community concert season are $50 for adults, $15 for students and $105 for families of two children and two adults.
The rest of the Lower Valley's season includes: Anita Chen, a double virtuoso on piano and violin Feb. 3; The Indigo Ensemble, a quartet of cool, jazzy and bluesy musicians March 11; and the Chris Jacome Flamenco Ensemble on May 8. This concert is packed with seductive Latin music as well as the fanciful moves of two flamenco dancers.
"In Seattle, a person would pay $50 for one concert for a mediocre seat," Donaldson said. "But for that same $50, you'll get four exciting concerts and all the seats are wonderful."
For tickets to the Lower Valley concerts, call 509-839-5222 or 509-786-3070.
If you don't have a season pass to the Community Concerts of Tri-Cities, you can still purchase individual tickets to the Poulenc Trio concert for $20 adults, $10 for students. They are available at communityconcertstc.org or call 509-547-6243.
