Happy birthday, Amadeus

If the concert proves to be a good draw, it will become a series of six concerts a year, Manukian said.

“I want to provide great music performed by world-class musicians,” she said. “There are not many venues around this area for chamber concerts and the First German United Methodist Church was very open to the idea.”

The concert will begin the sonata for violin and piano. These were Mozart’s favorite instruments, she said, and some of the best chamber music was written by him for this combination of musical instruments.

“This piece is the finest example of Mozart’s genius in music compositions,” she said. “The sonata is made as a conversation between the two instruments.”

Joining Manukian in the chamber concert are Brian Dembow on viola; violinist Julia Cser; pianist Ralph Alberstrom; and cellist George Kim Scholes.

Dembow is the principal violist for the motion picture studios, Manukian said.

“He has a fantastic technique and an amazing sound,” she said. “Ralph and I have collaborated on several concerts. He has a beautiful touch on the piano and incredible knowledge of musical repertoire.”