Trailblazers: Molly Gebrian, viola & Danny Holt, piano

Fresh, modern and passionately original, Molly Gebrian and Daniel Holt take on the musical works of three exceptional women, trailblazers who bucked societal norms to compose against a backdrop of world wars, a pandemic and the suffrage movement.

Molly, a renowned violist and neuroscientist, joins Danny, an internationally acclaimed pianist, to shine a spotlight on three musical pioneers:  Henriëtte Bosmans, Ethel Smyth, and Dora Pejačević, late 19th and early 20th century composers of acclaimed works, including orchestral pieces, chamber music and operas. In 2021, Smyth received a posthumous Grammy for Best Classical Vocal Solo.

Says Molly: "This music deserves to be performed widely, and if these works had been written by men, they would likely have been part of our standard repertoire for generations."

Molly’s area of expertise is applying the science of learning and memory to practice and performance. She is a frequent presenter and performer at conferences, universities, and music festivals in the U.S. and abroad. She recently joined the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music. Called “phenomenal” by music critic Alan Rich and hailed as one of the “local heroes” of the Los Angeles music scene, Danny has performed at such famed venues as Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl. He has played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Blue Man Group, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the Calder Quartet.

Danny and Molly come together to perform new arrangements of sumptuous works by Bosmans, Smyth, and Pejačević. Originally written for cello and piano, pieces newly arranged by Molly mark a significant contribution to the viola repertoire. The works are featured on Molly’s and Danny’s new album, Trailblazers, from Acis Productions.

Program

Dora Pejačević Sonata in E minor, Op. 35 (1913)

Ethel Smyth Sonata in A minor, Op. 5 (1887)

Henriëtte Bosmans Sonata in A Minor (1919)

Coffee and cookies served before the concert.

Tickets: Age 35+: $32 | 22-34: $20 | 21 & Under: Pay What You Wish.