Critically acclaimed pianist Laura Kargul of the USM School of Music, will present a program of two masterpieces on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m., at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor. Kargul will perform the “Sonata in B-Flat Major D. 960” of Franz Schubert, and the “Sonata in B Minor, Op. 58,” by Frédéric Chopin.

“I have chosen these particular works because they so fully embody the mature styles of Schubert and Chopin, two composers with whom I feel an extremely strong connection,” Kargul said.

“These are their last sonatas, and they were written within only 16 years of each other. But Schubert and Chopin are so vastly different in character, culture and their use of musical language that these works seem worlds apart.”

“It’s always interesting to hear how post-Beethoven composers handled the sonata, that most classical of forms,” Kargul said. “Beethoven’s impossibly high standard cast a shadow far into the 19th century. Some composers were intimidated, but not Schubert and Chopin.

“They embraced their innate romantic sensibilities and made the sonata truly new and fascinating, poetic, exciting and stunningly beautiful. Hearing these two monumental works back to back can be enlightening, inspiring, and, most of all, moving.”

Known especially for her playing of the virtuosic romantic repertoire by composers such as Liszt and Chopin, Kargul has also garnered widespread critical acclaim for her mastery of Schubert.

Kargul is known as well for her informative and humorous comments from the stage.  “I love teaching as much as performing,” Kargul said. “Audience members really seem to appreciate the opportunity to learn about this art form. Knowing more about the composers and their music vastly enhances the listening experience.”

Kargul has been the director of the keyboard program at USM since 1989.  A resident of Freeport, she has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, adjudicator, lecturer and master class technician throughout Europe and the U.S., as well as in Canada and the West Indies.

For those unable to attend the Sunday concert, Kargul will perform the same program on Friday, Oct. 19, at USM Gorham.  

Tickets for the performance at the Opera House are $15 if purchased in advance, or $20 at the door on the day of the concert. The Opera House box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are also available online at www.boothbayoperahouse.com. The doors for seating will open at 1:30 p.m. The box office will open at 1 p.m. on the day of the show.