A new adventure! I am excited to kick-off the Music Guild’s 2026 SummerFest with a preconcert presentation on a wide-ranging program. The Sords-Walz-Durkovic Trio—violinist Andrew Sords, longtime LA Opera principal cellist John Walz, and pianist Timothy Durkovic—will present piano trios by Mozart and Mendelssohn as well as works by Brahms, Handel, and Massenet. A highlight in my book will be Louis Spohr’s arrangement of Schubert’s Erlkönig for baritone, violin, and piano, featuring the fortuitously named Daniel Singer, an accomplished bass-baritone and music director.

The preconcert program—and add-on ($15)  for single-ticket purchasers, but free for members—takes place one hour before the performance and includes with wine and hors d’oeuvres. I hope to see many of my fellow chamber-music lovers at the show!

Founded with the vision of providing familiar and comforting entertainment to the influx of émigrés who arrived in Los Angeles after World War II, the Music Guild is one of the oldest chamber music presenters in the greater Southern California area, dedicated to enriching the cultural fabric of our community through world-class performances and music educational programs.