Published: February 23, 2026
On Valentine’s Day at 7 pm, the Performance Hall at the Crewe Center for the Arts at the University of Southern Maine was filled with warmth, elegance, and emotional intensity during the annual Valentine’s Day Under the Stars concert featuring violinist Callie Brennan and pianist Laura Kargul. The beloved yearly event, long associated with renowned pianist Laura Kargul and violinist Ronald Lantz, continues to stand as one of the season’s most cherished musical traditions, sponsored by Tenney S. Auger and Newell A. Auger.
For many years, the concert spotlighted the musical partnership between Kargul and Lantz. In recent seasons, Lantz’s former student Callie Brennan has stepped into his role, even performing on Lantz’s own 1850’s Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin, which he lends her for the event. Lantz himself was present in the audience for this year’s performance. Brennan credited him not only for her musical foundation but also for her sense of humor, something clearly visible in the relaxed and joyful rapport between the performers onstage.
Laura Kargul is widely respected for her expressive playing and engaging stage presence. Her performances often blend high artistry with storytelling, and this concert was no exception. Brennan matched that energy with playing that was both technically polished and emotionally indulgent. Together, they formed a duo that was dynamic, funny, musically rich, and consistently engaging to watch.
The program leaned into romance, lyricism, and vocal expression, featuring many works originally written for voice. Hearing these pieces sung through the violin created a striking effect. The instrument’s flexibility allowed for phrasing and expressivity that felt beyond what words alone could convey.
Selections included Meine Liebe ist grün and Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano by Johannes Brahms. Brennan and Kargul enriched the performance with stories about the connection between Brahms and Clara Schumann, adding historical and emotional context that deepened the audience’s listening experience.
The program also featured the Graceful Ghost Rag by William Bolcom, dedicated to the ghost of Corthell Hall, the Osher School of Music’s longtime former home. Additional highlights included the tender Berceuse by Amy Beach, Clair de lune by Claude Debussy, and a haunting Nocturne by Lili Boulanger.
Vocal repertoire arranged for violin and piano continued with Oh! Quand je dors by Franz Liszt and Après un rêve by Gabriel Fauré. No concert of Kargul’s feels complete without some Liszt, as well as her hallmark reflections on the history and poetry behind the music.
The evening closed with Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen, in an arrangement by George Shearing, sending listeners out on a note of nostalgia and gentle wonder.
The concert was romantic, indulgent, and truly beautiful. Several selections moved concertgoers to tears. Between the expressive programming, the visible affection and humor between the performers, and the longstanding legacy behind the event, the Valentine’s Day concert once again proved why it remains a treasured tradition. The concert was followed by a reception in the Great Hall Gallery featuring chocolate-covered strawberries, lemon bars, and brownies; a perfect conclusion to a romantic Valentine’s Day evening.
