Friday October 5, 2001

University of Arizona music professors Mark Rush, Tannis Gibson and Nancy Green, members of the Lorenzo Trio, will perform their only performance of the semester at Crowder Hall Sunday at 3 p.m.

Hong-Mei Xiao, professor of viola, will also join the group for the performance. This will not be the first time he has accompanied the trio.

"Pretty much every year that I have been here I have performed as a guest performer," Xiao said. "I have always enjoyed working with them. They are all really wonderful performers."

Gibson, an assistant professor of piano, said the collaboration has been very gratifying.

"We really enjoy working with her," she said.

According to Rush, an associate professor of violin, the quartet will play several new pieces centered around a common theme.

"Everything in the concert has a gypsy feel," he said. "It's all very colorful and imaginative."

Included in the program are Brahms' "Quartet in G minor­" and "Distance and Enchantments" by English composer Judith Weir.

Rush said he hopes this music will draw a more varied audience to the performance.

"We would really like to see more college students (in attendance),"Rush said. "It would also be great if more people who like music in the community would come to these shows."

Green, an assistant professor of cello, said that drawing a new audience to chamber music is not a simple task.

"I think that a general thing with classical music audiences is that you tend to get people brought up on it," she said.

Gibson said she appreciates the usual music-student attendants, but that she would appreciate more representation from the UA community.

"I would love to know that there are students in the audience from different areas like engineering and anthropology and mathematics," she said.

The trio members said they believe it takes more than one performance to acquire a love for the sound.

"People should feel welcome to come," Rush said. "For a lot of people, opening the door to good chamber music means going a few times."

The group has played together since 1996, and according to Green, they have been a very enjoyable five years.

"I really love playing with Mark and Tannis," Green said. "They have an incredible amount of chamber music experience."

As well as playing in the group, all of the members have had much experience performing on their own.

"All of us play actively outside of the group," Rush said. "Everyone is so fantastic."

Gibson mentioned benefits to performing alone, but said she still has a strong desire to play with the others.

"There is more freedom in a solo recital because you are not having to respond to the other music," she said. "But one of the most positive aspects of being in a chamber music group is that the music is so very rich and varied."

Rush agreed with Gibson's feelings regarding performing with other artists.

"I really enjoy the interaction between musicians," he said. "It's very rewarding that way."

Gibson said she wants to echo this connection at Sunday's concert.

"I love the interaction that usually occurs between the instruments," she said. "I hope it will happen on Sunday."

Tickets to the performance are $10 for general admission, $8 for UA employees and seniors 55+, and $4 for students. Call 621-2998 for more information.