The Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio is marking its 30th anniversary, so a few of its friends pitched in on the ultimate birthday present: a commissioned work.
Arizona Friends of Chamber Music joined nine other presenters in commissioning noted composer Richard Danielpour to write Piano Quartet "The Book of Hours."
Renowned violist Michael Tree from the Guarneri String Quartet joins the trio — pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson — to perform the work for the 10 presenters.
The Friends gets their turn on Wednesday when the trio helps the group end its 59th season.
"Richard always writes from the heart. There's a melody you can go out humming," Robinson said during a phone call from a concert stop in New York on Monday.
Robinson said Danielpour weaves beautiful colors through the fabric of his music.
"It's very challenging in its own way because it's deceptively simple," she added.
This is the trio's first Tucson concert since it performed at the 2004 Tucson Winter Chamber Music Festival. The group performed Mozart's Piano Trio in B flat major and Brahms' Piano Trio in B major.
This is the second time the Friends have participated in a commissioning project involving the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. The Friends kicked in for the Detroit Chamber Music Society's creation of a trio competition named after the three. The payoff: the Friends get a concert by the winner.
Robinson's trio has been a critical darling since its debut at President Jimmy Carter's inauguration three decades ago. It quickly gained a reputation for technically proficient performances delivered with exquisite personality and charm.
The group's relationship with Danielpour dates back to 2000 when members commissioned him to write a memorial piece for someone who had died tragically. He came up with the moving chamber work, "A Child's Reliquary."
Two years later, the trio tapped the American composer for an piece marking Robinson and Laredo's 25th wedding anniversary.
Robinson, who teaches at Indiana with her husband, said it was hard to believe 30 years had passed since she and Laredo proposed the trio idea to Kalichstein.
"'It's a really long time," she mused aloud. "We can't believe we're that old, first of all. And secondly, it's just flown by."
She attributes the group's success in part to its dedication to commissioning new works.
"There's always new music. We're not in any kind of rut repertoirewise," said Robinson, whose grown daughter lives in London with her cellist husband. "I think it's important to support the composers. We seek out composers who write for the audience and whose works will be around for a while."
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, with violist Michael Tree
• Presented by: Arizona Friends of Chamber Music.
• When: 8 p.m. Wednesday.
• Where: Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave.
• Tickets: $25, $10 for students through Arizona Friends, 577-3769.
• Program:
Joaquin Turina's Trio No. 2 in B minor, Op. 76.
Richard Danielpour's Piano Quartet "The Book of Hours" (Commission).
Johannes Brahms' Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25.
