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McCathran Hall in Washington Grove doesn't look like much from the outside, but Tanya Anisimova liked what was on the inside.

"I thought the acoustics were amazing," she says. "And I've played all over the world. I know a lot of wonderful halls, and this was one of the best. So I decided to start a music series there and bring it up to an international level."

The Chechen-born cellist convinced Washington Grove's recreation committee to take advantage of the building, which also serves as the town hall. Then-mayor Ann Briggs loved the idea, and in 1999, the two teamed up with Alice Negin to resurrect the Mousetrap Concert Series. The first version had faded out in the early 1980s.

"I was thrilled by the idea of having really great music here," Briggs says. "The three of us sat down and figured out what we'd do. We set some goals for ourselves. Number one was that we were not in it to make money, but to bring in the best possible chamber music that we could. Two was that we wanted a local audience and not just in town, but in the Gaithersburg-Rockville area."

Now in its 11th season, the new Mousetrap series continues to showcase international classical music.

"The town does other more contemporary music," Briggs says. "Here was this hall that was made for strings and voices. So that's where we put our emphasis."

The new season kicks off on Sunday afternoon with a concert featuring Anisimova and pianist Valery Kuleshov. The two met as young musicians in the former Soviet Union.

"We go back to the '70s, even before college," says Anisimova, who moved to the U.S. in 1990. "I remember him playing all the time. When I was a kid, [his technique] was very clean and clear-cut."

Kuleshov grew up in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and entered the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory at age 7. For more than three decades, the pianist has traveled the world, wowing audiences and winning awards at events like the Ninth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Italy. In 1997, Russian President Boris Yeltsin declared Kuleshov an "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation."

Anisimova believes his style has evolved since their days as children in the USSR.

"His unique way of playing is very well articulated," she explains. "His phrasing takes on an almost jazz approach. There are people who mumble when they play, and there are people whose words really resonate. They play not just clearly so their diction is good, but also how they state their syllables. I think he does that very well."

Anisimova had not met with Kuleshov for several years when a mutual friend pointed out to Anisimova that Kuleshov was in the U.S. as an artist in residence at the University of Central Oklahoma. They became reacquainted and will soon collaborate on a recording of Brahms sonatas. Sunday's concert will offer a live preview, as the duo will perform the composer's "Sonata No. 2 in F."

"I've been playing it since I was 19," Anisimova says. "But every time I approach it again, I feel a passion. To me, it's a symphony, a monumental work. The piece is like many other works by Brahms. It's about love and it's about nature. It's hard to put into words. But that's why we have music. When we can't think of words anymore, we start playing."

The cellist now lives with her artist husband Alexander Anufriev on 155 acres outside of Charlottesville. The majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains provides an atmosphere that allows her to think clearly and concentrate without interruption.

"I feel that this place, although there's no one here, is very alert," Anisimova says. "I compose, I practice and sometimes I paint. I believe it all shows in my music when I play. It's very important to have the right lifestyle for a performer."

Although the 43-year-old is a good distance from the Washington area, she continues to coordinate the Mousetrap season. In the coming months, the series will welcome members of the Baltimore Consort and the vocal duo of Amy Cofield and Scott Williamson.

"She is an amazing soprano," Anisimova says of Cofield. "I like not only her voice — she's impeccable — but her personality is very warm, and that certainly shows in her singing. We always try to have a balance of instrumental and vocal programming in our series."

Negin, a retired school teacher, says that the concerts have come a long way since the turn of the millennium.

"When we restarted Mousetrap 11 years ago, we don't know how it was going to go," she recalls. "It got such a warm welcome. We've had a great following."

Valery Kuleshov and Tanya Anisimova will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday at McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Ave., Washington Grove. Tickets are $17, $12.50 for ages 11 and younger in advance, and $20, $15 for ages 11 and younger at the door. Call 301-926-2858 or visit

www.washingtongrovemd.org/

community/news_events/mousetrap.