Popular Chamber Music Series CAFE LUDWIG Returns to Sundays at Pacific Symphony

Pacific Symphony's popular chamber music series, Café Ludwig, returns to sweeten up Sundays with coffee, treats and music that's extra delicious. For the first concert of the series, the focus is on the towering genius of Brahms, which cast a long shadow and influenced many of his contemporaries, including Dvo?ák, a devoted friend whom he mentored.

In the spotlight, led by the incomparablepianist and series host Orli Shaham, are Symphony musicians Paul Manaster, violin; Bridget Dolkas, violin; Meredith Crawford, viola; Timothy Landauer, cello; and Steven Edelman, bass. The program opens with a Brahms-inspired work by a young Israeli-American composer, Avner Dorman, commissioned and recorded by Shaham, called "After Brahms," followed byDvo?ák's String Quintet No. 2, Op. 77 and Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 3, Op. 60.

Enjoy coffee or tea and sample sweet treats in Café Ludwig's coffeehouse-style setting, while enjoying the aural beauty of chamber music during "Brahms & the Romantics," taking place on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m., in the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Tickets are $70 and $88; for more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.