Classical guitarist, Amy Brucksch, and Joanna Mulfinger Lebo, who serves as the principal second violinist of the Greenville Symphony, will present the next Bach’s Lunch/Wednesdays at Noon Lenten Recital at Holy Cross Episcopal Church on March 13.

Lebo will perform the Sonata in A minor, Op. 1, No. 1 by Jean Baptiste Loeillet de Gant, with Amy providing the continuo on the guitar.

Little is known about this composer’s life, but his solo sonatas have retained their popularity from their origins in the Baroque period to the present day. Strongly influenced by the violin sonatas of Corelli, these pieces combine Italian and French characteristics to create expressive and virtuoso chamber music of the greatest elegance and finesse.

Both musicians will perform the Cantabile for Violin and Guitar by Niccolo Paganini. The Cantabile is one of the most lovely of the many compositions written for violin and guitar by Paganini, the most celebrated violinist/guitarist/composer of the 19th century. Paganini owned and played an instrument by Nicolo Amati, the same maker of Lebo’s violin.

Danza in E minor by Jorge Morel (b. 1931) is a lyrical and beautifully expressive piece for solo guitar by the Argentinian guitarist/composer, whose works combine elements of Latin American music, jazz, and classical composition.

From Amazing Grace: Eight Songs of the Spirit arranged by Paula Robison and Frederic Hand, the beloved spirituals Shall We Gather at the River? “Wondrous Love” and “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” will be performed by Brucksch and Lebo.

These 30-minute Lenten recitals are at noon, and they are free of charge and open to the public. The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross is located at 150 Melrose Avenue, Tryon.

For more information, call the church office at 828-859-9741.

– article submitted by Susie Mahnke