This unusual quartet of musicians, two pianists and two percussionists. will appear in Birmingham to perform the popular and unusual Bartok “Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion”. The percussionists play seven instruments–cymbals, triangle, tam-tam, xylophone, snare drum, timpani, and bass drum–to express a rhythmic, harmonic, and percussive masterpiece.

Cynthia Raim is acclaimed for her concerto and recital appearances throughout the United States and abroad. Raim has won many prestigious competitions and prizes and made numerous radio and television appearances, as well as recordings. Greg Lemco, Audiophile Audition wrote, “I simply cannot find enough superlatives for these fine recordings by Cynthia Raim, who reveals herself to be one of the great Schumann-players of our time. Her playing is in a league with the best that I have heard live or on records.”

David Wehr is also a national and international award-winning pianist. In performance he has appeared with major chamber ensembles and symphonies in the U.S. and the world, and has collaborated with numerous musicians including Raim. He is currently Distinguished Piano Chair at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wehr served as Duquesne’s first Hillman Distinguished Professor. American Record Guide wrote, “He is more than a pianist’s pianist; he is a musician’s musician.”

Edward Stephan and Andrew Reamer are Principle Timpanist and Principle Percussion Chair, respectively, for the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra. Each has a distinguished career in performance both nationally and internationally.

The program also includes compositions by Milhaud, Schumann, and Rachmaninoff.