A season of Sunday afternoon concerts at Langley Community Music School kicks off this weekend with award-winning pianist Milton Schlosser.

In the premiere of the 2012-13 season of Concerts Cafe Classico, the school has invited the Alberta professor to perform, explained Elizabeth Bergmann, a fellow concert pianist and the school's artistic director of concerts.

"We are looking forward to a superb season filled with beautiful masterworks performed by great artists," Bergmann said.

"Concert enthusiasts can expect a variety of genres and styles of music ranging from groups like the famous Gryphon Trio to a night of jazz with a wonderful group of LCMS' faculty. Music is as much an integral part of our lives as it is an essential element to our culture. Join us this season as we partake in exciting musical adventures together."

As has become a tradition at these Sunday afternoon concerts, the Sept. 23 event starts with coffee and commentary hosted by Bergmann at 3 p.m., followed by a 60-minute concert starting at 4 p.m.

The Concerts Cafe Classico season begins with pianist Schlosser in solo recital entitled What is Life? Of Shadows, Cradles, and the Blues.

His concert features works by composers Johannes Brahms, Nicholas Howells, and Frederic Rzewski.

"It promises to be a unique program, with the work by young aboriginal composer Howells involving audience participation to recreate the sound of a buffalo jump, Bergmann added.

"I play a foot drum that was designed specifically for this piece, done by the composer himself," Schlosser explained.

Classico scehdule

The Classico series continues on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m., with pianist Eugene Skovorodnikov and LCMS faculty member and violinist Yuri Zaidenberg presenting some of Schubert's masterworks.

LCMS is presenting Ian and Friends on Jan. 13, featuring cellist and LCMS artistic director emeritus Ian Hampton,who is joined by fellow Arioso strings colleagues Max Ngai, and Luiza Nelepcu (both on violin), and Frances Dodd on viola.

On March 10, Patricia Armstrong and Paul MacDermot will present a concert of intimate works for violin and guitar.

The spring concerts continue with cellist Ariel Barnes on April 21.

"This is a rare opportunity to hear music that is considered the most musically and technically challenging in the solo cello repertoire since Bach," Bergmann said.

The season concludes with a night cafe and jazz performance on May 3, at 7 p.m. with guitarist BJ Block, drummer Sam Cartwright, guitarist Ray Pullen, and bass player Tim Stacey.

In addition to the Classico series, LCMS also hosts the Rose Gellert Concert Hall Series next month. These evening concerts feature nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, kicking off Oct. 27

with Musica Mysterium by Cappella Artemisia, a ten-member ensemble of six female voices, two cornetti, a harpsichord, and a viola da gamba.

Ticket and season subscription information is available from the school box office at 604-534-2848, or at the school, which is located at 4899 207th St.

Also on the school's itinerary next week is a Suzuki information session.

LCMS is known for its comprehensive Suzuki music programs, and offers a full slate of group classes and private lessons in this discipline.

To learn more about the Suzuki method, interested parents are invited to an information in Saturday, Sept. 29.

Those interested can visit the school website at www. langleymusic.com, or contact the school for more details.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com