by Christina Wilhelm – 

The last concert of the Benderly Recital Series was presented by SCFPA Artist-in-Residence pianist Evan Kory. The first half featured the solo keyboard works of Enrique Granados, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Robert Schumann. Evan performed the haunting piece by Granados “Quejas, o la maja y el Ruiseñor”, which he shared was the inspiration for the famous song Besame Mucho. After the Granados, he performed a set of two and three-part inventions by J.S. Bach and the first movement of Schumann’s Fantasie.

At the conclusion of the solo piano works, violinist Emily Chao and cellist Juan David Mejia formed a trio with Evan and performed Dvorak’s fiery “Dumky” Piano Trio. Based in Tucson, Emily and Juan have joined Evan to form the Sky Islands Piano Trio, named after our beautiful region. They will be performing again for a members-only concert on November 3. If you are interested in becoming a “Friend of the Opera House”, please visit the donation page on our website: www.scfpapresents.org.