CHECK IT OUT:

Reading, relaxing and listening to fabulous classical music — what a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially when offered at the Newport Beach Public Library.

Come hear the fabulous UCI Chamber Players this afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Friends Meeting Room of the Central Library.

Free and open to the public, this performance for the October Sunday Musicale is titled, “Brahms and His Circle” and consists of selections from Brahms, Joachim and both Clara and Richard Schumann.

The UCI Chamber Players are composed of Haroutune Bedelian on violin, Maggie Parkins on cello and Lorna Griffit on piano. Tenor Darryl Taylor sings as a special treat for this presentation.

And if you miss today’s concert, join us next month on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. for the accomplished pianist and violinist twosome known as the Azzoni Duo.

In the meantime, here are some wonderful, musically inspired books to rekindle your love of true virtuosos.

“This is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession” by Daniel J. Levitin: Immerse yourself in this fascinating study of the psychological aspects of human musical development. Do certain types of music elicit a definite response from you? You are not alone. Now find out why.

“The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier” by Thaddeus Carhart: Americans in Paris, the Rive Gauche, plenty of wine and intellectualizing about music and love, this is Paris with pianos, naturellemente. Enter this world vicariously and treat yourself to a forgotten passion, from a less-hurried landscape.

“Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand” by James Barron: What does it take to construct the best piano in the world? Why are Steinway Grand pianos considered the crème de la crème of the most popular of percussion instruments? Take an intriguing, behind-the-scenes look at the makers and builders that produce these remarkable pianos.

“The Violin Maker: Finding a Centuries-Old Tradition in a Brooklyn Workshop” by John Marchese: As the piano is to percussion instruments, so the violin is to strings. Follow the history of violin-making with New York’s Sam Zygmuntovic and the extraordinary craftsmanship necessary to create a new violin for virtuoso Eugene Drucker of the Emerson String Quartet.

“The Life and Death of Classical Music: Featuring the 100 Best and 20 Worst Recordings Ever Made” by Norman Lebrecht: Will you agree with music critic Lebrecht and his notable discography of unforgettable performances? For all serious music lovers and audiophiles, these reviews are a must-read to maintain an up-to-date and relevant classical collection.

“The House That George Built: With a Little Help from Irving, Cole, and a Crew of Fifty” by Wilfrid Sheed: Do you prefer popular music from the so-called “golden age” of songwriters to classical works? Then this celebratory title is for you. Dig into notables such as George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and others. Find out why these lyricists and composers have stood the test of time to create a truly American musical art form.

“1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” edited by Robert Dimery with a preface by Michael Lydon: This is the latest index with reviews to the most “important” musical recordings starting in the 1950s to the year 2000. Listing artists and various types of popular music, you may agree or disagree with the choices made, but the monumental task of culling the “best” is what gives this title its zest.

CHECK IT OUT is written by Newport Beach staff member Mary Ellen Bowman. Use your Newport Beach Public Library card to reserve these titles at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or call (949) 717-3800 and press 2.