Mr. Bogas describes his new collaborator Cordula Merks as “a fabulous musician… a wonder all by herself.  You will fall in love with her playing.”

Both concerts will share the debut of Mr. Bogas’ newly completed chamber version of Ernest Bloch’s seminal work “Schelomo: a Hebraic Rhapsody.”   Bloch, the renowned 20th c. composer and former resident of the Mendocino coast, was Bogas’s friend and mentor.  Schelomo (Solomon) was originally written for cello solo with full orchestra. Mr. Bogas recently transcribed it for solo cello accompanied by string quartet and piano, an effort which he describes as a “labor of love.”

Mariko Wyrick’s participation enables the ensemble to play Schubert’s Quintet for Two Cellos, another rare opportunity. In addition, the ensemble will play works by Mozart, Haydn and Dvorak, completing the program of extraordinary music, exquisitely performed.

Thanks to the efforts of local music lovers in our community, world-class performers have become a regular occurrence at Gualala Arts Center.  Many prominent musicians travel long distances to play for Gualala audiences, providing easy access to some of the world’s most amazing music.