Thanks to a notice from the ever-watchful Ross McKee Foundation, attention is called to a highly unusual, happily fortuitous convergence of three distinguished pianists in the city, all on May 12, namely:
- Anton Nel in the Legion of Honor, 2 p.m., with Alexander Barantschik and Peter Wyrick of the S.F. Symphony: Hummel Piano Trio in G Major, Ravel Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2, Schumann Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 6.
- Eric Zivian at Noe Valley Chamber Music, 4 p.m., with Tanya Tomkins, Tom Stone, Meena Bhasin, and Owen Dalby: Beethoven Sonata No. 4 in C Major for Cello and Piano, Op. 102, No. 1; Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49; Schumann Quintet for Piano and Strings in E-flat Major, Op. 44.
- Jeremy Denk in Davies Hall, 7:30 p.m., with Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis: Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Rachmaninoff Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor, Ravel Piano Trio in A Minor.
For musical marathon runners, it’s possible to attend all three concerts, given the timing of 2, 4, and 7:30. Also note the rare opportunity to hear the Mendelssohn D Minor trio twice in one day (Zivian and Denk).
To hear star pianists of the future, note the finals of the 22nd annual Ross McKee Piano Competition, which is open to high-school students residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. The concert is at 7 p.m., May 18, in the Recital Hall of the S.F. Conservatory of Music. It is open to the public, admission is free of charge.
