September 17, 1999 -- Los
Angeles Harbor College -- 8 p.m.
September 19, 1999 -- Pacific
Unitarian Church -- 3 p.m.
These two reviews appeared following the concerts:
"BEETHOVEN SONATAS PRESENTED WITH POLISH AND PASSION -- . . . [Mr. Leonard] brought to the task the warmth of tone and expression familiar from his 24 years as principal cellist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. . . . A faculty colleague of Leonard's at USC, Fitz-Gerald played with equal point and commitment, asserting his own ideas as well as complementing the cellist. Transparent textures reflected his clarity of thought and immediacy of feeling, supported by comprehensive technical resources. . . . variations on a theme from Mozart's "The Magic Flute" . . . completed the Friday installment for an enthusiastic, standing-room-only crowd. Leonard and Fitz-Gerald gave them fully embodied character, rich in detail but uncluttered in sweep and perspective." -- JOHN HENKEN, Los Angeles Times, September 20, 1999
"MUSIC SOCIETY OPENS SEASON WITH BEETHOVEN CYCLE -- . . . Their playing was masterfully compelling throughout . . . Leonard and Fitz-Gerald performed as kindred spirits . . . Every note was in place, yet uncompromising rhythmic definition, unabashed temperament and a penetrating reading resulted in a wonderfully prepared and inspired performance. Leonard and Fitzgerald have established a preeminence in chamber music." -- LEONNE LEWIS, Palos Verdes Peninsula News, September 23, 1999.