For the Reporter

Auburn Symphony Orchestra continues its chamber series at St. Matthew Episcopal Church on Sunday, Jan. 25, performing three unexpected selections that will surprise and engage the audience.

The Fearless but Friendly Masters Chamber Concert begins at 4 p.m. at the church, 123 L St. NE, Auburn.

Lou Harrison’s exotic and inventive varied trio for violin, piano and percussion combines simple, repetitive melodies and harmonies through a variety of instruments and techniques.

Harrison was popular with a range of artists who premiered his works, including Keith Jarrett, Yo-Yo Ma and the Mark Morris Dance Group. Considered one of the great composers of the 20th century, Harrison also was a community activist admired for his generosity and integrity of spirit.

Orphaned as a teen, Karlheinz Stockhausen immersed himself in music, studied with Messiaen (Quartet for the End of Time) and ultimately became a pioneer of electronic music. He eventually extended his work to popular culture, influencing the Beatles so much that they honored him by including him on the cover of their Sergeant Pepper album. His work, Tierkreis, consists of 12 pieces representing the signs of the Zodiac, inspired by the personalities of people he knew born under each sign. The music is melodic and “pretty” in ways that are unexpected.

“It is always all over before it starts,” was the reaction of Anton Webern’s father upon hearing the Four Pieces, Op. 7 for the first time. Webern’s restraint is extraordinary—the shortest piece is only nine measures in length, and the longest, 24. Musicians who worked with Webern were constantly surprised by the results he was able to achieve by such modest means. This striking and evocative post-romantic work was originally composed for violin and piano. The arrangement you will hear, by ASO percussionist Matthew Kocmieroski, is for marimba and piano.

The concert is sponsored in part by the City of Auburn and the Garneau-Nicon Foundation.

Founded in 1996, the fully-professional nonprofit orchestra is led by Stewart Kershaw, internationally-renowned conductor and former music director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra.

For more information or to support the orchestra, please visit auburnsymphony.org.

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Fearless but Friendly Masters Chamber Concert

Program: Harrison, varied trio for violin, piano and percussion; Stockhausen, Tierkreis; Webern, 4 Pieces Op. 7

When: 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25

Where: St. Matthew Episcopal Church, 123 L St. NE, Auburn

Tickets: Festival seating, $17 adults, $10 students. Call 253-887-7777 or purchase online at auburnsymphony.org.