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Last Sunday the Crowden School presented the second of its chamber music concert series called “Sundays at Four.”  

The concert featured the world-famous cello master Laszlo Varga, who was principal cellist for the New York Philharmonic and has a distinguished career as recording artist, teacher and soloist. 

He was joined by Roy Malan, concertmaster for the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra; Benjamin Simon, director of the Crowden School and violist in several orchestras and quartets; and Karen Rosenak, a pianist with deep roots in many local ensembles and universities.  

In short, this was an all-star line-up, perhaps a surprise for such a seemingly humble venue.  

This concert was likely the best bargain of Berkeley’s classical music season in terms of quality chamber music for a modest admission ticket.  

These masters made us realize why the classics are so highly valued.  

They began with a gorgeous reading of Beethoven’s Piano Quartet in Eb Major, Opus 16.  

Lacking a true slow movement, this work focuses on the elegant charms of the tempo “Allegro, ma non troppo.” Without resorting to the easy but cheap affectation of romanticizing the classics, the string players took turns with the graceful themes and showed us a delightful series of developments and variations.  

Then Varga played a pair of cello sonatas with piano accompaniment, one by Brahms and one by Debussy.  

His rich sonority would have been a treat no matter what he played, but this program nicely highlighted the wonderful quality of his sound. The Brahms sonata was like a trio of lovely alto arias, while the Debussy piece excitedly explored many moods and techniques, all of which were firmly anchored by the luscious tone.  

Without a doubt, the excellent acoustics and relative intimacy of the Crowden School’s auditorium contributed substantially to the overall satisfaction of the concert: after all, chamber music was not written for the concert hall.  

Next month’s concert (November 5) features a return of Sunday’s featured violist, Benjamin Simon, whose program will range from the sublime J.S. Bach to the ridiculous P.D.Q. Bach.  

Simon promises to present “the viola as you’ve never heard it before!” The concert on Dec. 9 will be a showcase for some of the Bay Area’s best young musicians. On Feb. 3 of next year the Pacific Piano Quartet will take the stage to present Faure and Brahms.  

On March 17 Joan Jeanrenaud, founding cellist of the Kronos quartet “plays some crazy modern stuff” according to the program notes. 

The Crowden School Faculty Showcase will be on May 5. The series will finish with the Francesco Trio on June 2. Mark your calendars so you don’t forget these top-notch chamber music concerts.  

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Crowden School’s scholarship fund.