ELLSWORTH—Two local musicians are using one of the least violent of the arts to combat what Governor Angus King has called Maine’s number one problem—domestic violence.

Cellist Fredi Monteux and pianist Patricia Stowell will perform at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday, March 18, to raise money for The Next Step, the only organization in Hancock County dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence.

The benefit is a chance to hear haunting, searing music played by two experienced musicians.

Monteux studied cello at the Conservatoire de Grenoble (France) and later at Bennington College in Vermont. He just participated in a master class in Riga, Latvia, studying with the 1964 winner of the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow, Eleanora Testeleca. He has toured with the Rameau Quartet and the Haydn Festival Orchestra.

Stowell has a doctorate in piano performance, studied in Vienna, performed in Poland and has lectured in Russia. Her numerous local concert appearances include a recent performance of the Clara Schumann Piano Concerto with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. She has presented master classes in the U.S. and Europe, and appeared in the first American Music Festival for Bulgarian television.

The duo will perform Franz Schubert’s Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in A minor, called "The Arpeggione," and Johannes Brahms’ Cello Sonata in D major. The arpeggione, the instrument for which the Schubert piece was written in 1824, is similar to the cello.

"My father gave me the Brahms to learn," said Monteux. He picked these two pieces, he said, to help him learn technique. Monteux’s father is Claude Monteux, an international flutist and conductor who coaches chamber ensembles for the Pierre Monteux School in Hancock, started by Fredi Monteux’s grandfather, the famed French conductor.

"I don’t think you can pick more challenging pieces," said Monteux, who has worked on "The Arpeggione" for two years. "A piece like this is always a work in progress."

The sonata is "glorious," he said, and well worth the effort.

In addition to playing the cello classically, Monteux plays electric cello and bass in two rock bands, Lord Jones and Puzzle Monkey.

He’s also a pilot for American Airlines, which helps to fund his music career but also makes for a hectic schedule. His schedule forced him to resign from the board of directors at The Next Step, but he is still adamant about supporting the organization.

The benefit concert is a way for Monteux to keep supporting the organization and raise awareness of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a subject both Monteux and Stowell feel passionately about.

"Most of our real serious problems come from domestic violence," said Monteux. "It’s something I’m very concerned about. Currently over 50 percent of the homicides in Maine involving women are a result of domestic violence. We have to stop it."

"It [the concert] gives people an opportunity to consider the seriousness of domestic violence and fight it in a way other than using violence," said Stowell. "It’s a way for me to speak out and use my musical gift."

"Violence toward any person is unacceptable," she said. "Each of us needs to play a part in eliminating domestic violence."

The problem has received a lot of publicity lately. "I hope we don’t relax our vigilance on it," Monteux said.

The Next Step 24-hour crisis line is 667-4606 or 1-800-315-5519. All calls are confidential and collect calls are accepted.

Monteux and Stowell will perform on Sunday, March 18, at 4 p.m. A reception will be held after the concert at the Riverside Cafe in Ellsworth.