Fire and Flattery

Ismar Gomes and Wan Chi Su met at the Peabody Conservatory in graduate school where they realized their musical connection. Since then they have cultivated a very active concertizing career together. They have performed on many important series and have commissioned several new works by established and emerging composers. Together, the duo has collaborated with members of the Baltimore Symphony and others. A member of the Virginia, Delaware Symphony, Ismar teaches at several universities in Maryland and holds faculty appointments at Loyola University, College of Notre Dame, Morgan State and a number of summer festivals. He is in demand as a baroque cellist as well and is a member of Mélomanie, based in Delaware. Wan-Chi is one of the most sought after pianists on the east coast. A native of Taiwan, she often performs in chamber music and as a soloist, apart from her regular studio teaching. Each program the duo presents includes a variety of music from different periods, styles, and places; some works are well known, while others are off the beaten track. The duo enjoys creating concerts that explore a unifying idea and will guide the audience through introductions to the music. Li-Ly Chang, faculty member of Montgomery College, director of International Young Artist Piano Competition.

Program: Saint-Saens Cello Sonata no. 2, Prokofiev March from The Love for Three Oranges and his Cello Sonata, Stravinsky, Suite Italienne, Schubert Grand Duo.