Nationally acclaimed pianist, Dr. Joseph Holt, will be playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on Sunday, May 1, at 4 p.m., in a fundraising concert to benefit the people of Haiti. Of course, I’ve GOT TO GO. Unbelievably, I’ve never heard this sonata performed live. It is one of my favorite pieces of all time — I’ve written about it before — just click here to read more about the sonata and why I wish Beethoven was my lover! But I digress.

The concert takes place at Faith Lutheran Church, 7750 Beneva Road in Sarasota, and will include a formal dedication of the church’s new Steinway Concert Grand piano.

Dr. Joseph Holt in front of new Steinway Concert Grand piano at Faith Lutheran Church.

During the concert, Dr. Holt, an award-winning performer, conductor and arranger, who is the current Artistic Director for Gloria Musicae, as well as Artist-in-Residence for Faith Lutheran, will perform a varied piano program on the new Steinway. He will be joined by musicians from the Sarasota Orchestra for select chamber works. The program also includes favorite pieces by Chopin, a quartet for piano and strings by Mozart, and character pieces by Russian Composer Dmitri Kabalevsky and French Composer Darius Milhaud.

Dr. Holt served as principal pianist for the U.S. Army Chorus for 20 years, based in Washington, D.C., and it was there that he made the acquaintance of James Grant, a prolific American composer known for his commissioned choral, orchestral and jazz compositions, which have been performed around the world. In 2002, Grant was honored with the national Aaron Copland award, and in 2009, he released the jazz CD, “Chocolates: Music for Viola and Piano” to critical acclaim. Grant is a part-time resident of Siesta Key, and will be making a special appearance at the May 1st concert.

The suggested donation is $15, available in advance at the Faith Lutheran church office, or at the door the day of the event, pending availability of tickets. For more information, call 941.926.8031.