The Gualala Arts Concert Series is pleased to present the outstanding string trio Ensemble Phoenix in a program of chamber music on Sunday, October 10, 4 p.m., at the Gualala Arts Center. A previous performance by Ensemble Phoenix in Gualala, in January 2002, was met with enthusiastic acclaim, and the coastal music community is eagerly anticipating the return of this ensemble.

The Independent Coast Observer wrote in a review of the previous Phoenix concert "The soaring violin was beautifully supported by the viola and the deep-throated warmth of the cello. We were treated to an exposition of string playing both subtle and expressive."

The October concert will include the Schubert String Trio D 471, the Beethoven String Trio in G major op. 9 no. 1, the Zoltan Kodaly Duo for Violin and Cello op. 7, and the Appalachia Waltz by Mark OâConnor.

The ensemble, originally named the Phoenix Trio, was formed in 1993 by Cellist Sarah Fiene in San Francisco. The group started by presenting annual three-performance concert series at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts and at Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco, along with performances elsewhere in the state and country. Since 1999, the ensembleâs primary venue has been the beautiful sanctuary of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Portola Valley. In 2000, the group renamed itself the Ensemble Phoenix to reflect a new diversity in both player composition and repertoire. The group now consists of a handful of musicians, performing in various combinations for different appearances, playing traditional repertoire as well as new music, striving to integrate past and present.

The Gualala concert will present the ensemble in trio form, featuring the same players who appeared here in 2002: Dawn Harms, violin; Anna Kruger, viola; and Sarah Fiene, cello. Each of the three is a highly-accomplished performer with impressive musical credentials and experience, having directed, performed, and recorded with outstanding orchestras and ensembles throughout the world. In addition to their other musical activities, each has founded a chamber music ensemble: As mentioned above, Sarah Fiene is the founder and artistic director of the Ensemble Phoenix; Dawn Harms is the founder and conductor of the Elixir Chamber Orchestra; and Anna Kruger is a founder of the award-winning Lark Quartet.