Griffins, lessons at Carriage House

Something completely different, classical music fans: Violinist Nicholas Kitchen and cellist Yeesun Kim, half of the Borromeo String Quartet, will present what they’re calling “an exploratory concert of masterworks,” which is a little bit music and a little bit lecture. Before each piece, the husband-and-wife team reviews interesting aspects of the music, highlighting points through examples and manuscripts projected on a screen — and then roll the pieces out for an informed spin around the musical block. The program will include Bach’s Suite No. 6 in D major, and Chaconne for solo violin, BWV 1004; Bartok’s Sonata for Violin Solo, Sz.117 and Ravel’s Sonata for violin and cello, which the composer dedicated to his pal Claude Debussy. Does any parent names kids Claude anymore? Kim and Kitchen, also faculty members at New England Conservatory, will be joined by violinists Mai Motobuch and Kristopher Tong. And here’s something else to look out for: their axes. Kitchen plays the famous Guarneri Del Gesu violin known as the “Baron Vitta,” which was entrusted into his care after it was given to the Library of Congress by Miyoko Yamane Goldberg — the wife of legendary violinist Szymon Goldberg. The idea is that it would ultimately be reunited with its original twin, the violin Fritz Kreisler played. Kim plays a cello carved by Peregrino Zanetto in 1576, one of the very oldest cellos in the world, adorned with evocative painted griffins.

This is the last performance of the Firehouse’s Home Concert series. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. April 10 at the Carriage House, 203 High St., Newburyport. Tickets are $60, or $55 for Firehouse members. The cost includes a wine reception, dessert, coffee and conversation after the concert. Tickets are available by calling 978.462.7336 or logging on at firehouse.org. The photo of Kitchen and Kim are courtesy of Christian Steiner.

A shower of Romantic 'Rain'

RAIN, I DON’T MIND: Nobody, not even TMZ *really* knows what, if anything, went on between Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann, the wife of Robert Schumann, Johnny’s dear friend, mentor, the guy who put his name on the map, musically. He was crazy in love with Clara, but she, alas, merely loved him, like (words no guy ever wants to hear) a dear, dear friend. Even after Schumann died, he apparently struck out, romantically, as Clara, playing a 19th-Century Jackie Kennedy, made sure the big man’s legacy was secure. But, while no one knows what went on inside their heads, it’s pretty clear the dude was hurting big time. You can hear it in Sonata in G Major, op. 78 — the so-called Rain Sonata — in which the yearning is palpable, almost overwhelming. And Mrs. S got the message. In a letter to Brahms she confessed to “bursting into tears” on hearing it. We’re hoping that modern-day audiences can hold it together when violinist Gabriela Diaz and pianist Lois Shapiro play the Rain Sonata during “Eloquent Expressivity: The Violin Sonatas of Johannes Brahms,” the final program of this year’s Jean C. Wilson Music Series at the Unitarian Universalist Church, which takes place this weekend. Diaz, a New England Conservatory-trained musician who acted as concertmistress under Pierre Boulez at the Lucerne Festival Academy, is noted for her polished technique. Shapiro is a founding member of the Triple Helix piano trio. Also on the program will be Brahms’ Sonata #2 in A Major, Sonatensatz in C minor and Sonata #3 in D minor. The concert takes place at 4 p.m. March 7 at the Unitarian Church, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport. Tickets are $15, $10 for seniors. Children and students can listen for free ... if they promise to behave.