The trio, which consists of violinist Jorja Fleezanis, pianist Garrick Ohlsson, and cellist Michael Grebanier, first formed in 1984. At the time, Fleezanis and Grebanier were both with the San Francisco Symphony, and Ohlsson was a frequent guest artist. They reveled in the musical collaboration and wanted to continue. Their memorable name is an obvious wordplay on their last names and the famous San Francisco weather. According to Fleezanis, they tried just using their names, but it was too long and awkward. So they tried their initials, with all the permutations, and “it suddenly became obvious. It’s a playful name, and it endeared us to audiences as a San Francisco group. And, like the fog, we come and go.”
It’s true that over the past 25 years, their performances together have depended on their personal schedules and locations. While Grebanier remains as principal cellist with the San Francisco Symphony, Fleezanis became concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra in 1989, leaving that position earlier this year to become a full professor at Indiana University in Bloomington. Ohlsson, who came to prominence as the first American Gold Medal winner at the 1980 Chopin competition, is still in demand around the world.
The concert is also dedicated to the memory of Michael Steinberg, husband of Fleezanis. Steinberg, who died last summer, was a noted musicologist, writer, teacher, and coach, known for the insightful and delightful program notes he wrote for the S.F. Symphony and other orchestras. Says Fleezanis, “Michael always encouraged us to play Haydn and Schumann. It’s complex music, often overlooked. You have to really understand their strengths and learn from them. The same is true for Brahms. In fact, Garrick and I played the Brahms sonata for Michael’s 70th birthday.”
The trio’s association with Music at Kohl Mansion is almost as longstanding as the group itself, and they enjoy the connection they feel to the loyal audience there. Proceeds from the benefit will go to the Music at Kohl’s Artistic Development Fund, begun in 2003 by Ohlsson, which supports outstanding pianists.
As with other performances at Kohl, there will be a preconcert talk, as well as a champagne reception after the performance, giving you one more chance to toast the New Year ... and old friends.