Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Announces Triumphant Return to Live Performances

Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu cropped
Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu cropped

42nd season features Escher Quartet, Imani Winds, and Artistic Directors Jon Nakamatsu, piano and Jon Manasse, clarinet

McGRATHPR.com – Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival is back on stage, August 3 through 13, 2021. The venerable chamber music festival’s 42nd season features performances by Artistic Directors Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu, the Escher Quartet with Brian Zeger, and Imani Winds. Audiences have their choice of three atmospheric venues: The historic, 300-year-old First Congregational Church in Wellfleet, picturesque Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor’s Center in Eastham, and Cape Cod’s major performing arts hub; the Cotuit Center for the Arts. Year-round residents and summer visitors alike will have the opportunity to enjoy world class performances in nine concerts over two weeks.

The festival kicks off with a concert “In Celebration of Our Audience” performed by Jon Manasse (clarinet) and Jon Nakamatsu (piano). “Our wonderful Festival audience has shown incredible dedication and optimism, despite the difficulties of the past year. We conceived of this first concert as a personal message of gratitude for their support and a celebration of live chamber music returning to the Cape. We are thrilled to offer a season of programs including established masterpieces and exciting discoveries,” says the two artistic directors about the program.

This is incoming Executive Director Paul Schwendener’s first season at CCCMF, succeeding Elaine Lipton who is retiring from the position she’s held since 2006. Schwendener says, “It is an honor to carry on the great tradition of this festival, and I am delighted to work together with Elaine, the Board, and with Artistic Directors Jon Nakamatsu and Jon Manasse to ensure a smooth transition back to concert life in these challenging times.”

In the interest of public health and safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, concerts will be one hour in length with no intermission, and will abide by local guidelines to ensure a safe concert environment. Tickets are available by phone at 508-247-9400 and at capecodchambermusic.org.

About the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival

Hailed by The New York Times as “A Triumph of Quality,” the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival (CCCMF) has been a presenter of chamber music and a major contributor to the cultural life of Cape Cod since its inception in 1979. The Festival was founded by the late Samuel Sanders with a goal was to establish a continuous presence of first-rate chamber music concerts on Cape Cod. As the Festival enters its 42nd season, it excels under the leadership of its Artistic Directors, the team of Jon Manasse (clarinetist) and Jon Nakamatsu (pianist), both acclaimed musicians who represent the top ranks of American chamber music. Together with CCCMF staff, an active Board of Directors and more than 60 local volunteers they bring a stellar mosaic of talent to the Cape. In addition to its annual summer season of concerts, community and school outreach programs and an annual benefit in New York, it partners with local cultural organizations for educational programs and fundraising.

For more information about Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival’s 2021 season, performers, mission and venues, visit capecodchambermusic.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival on Facebook.

2021 Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Schedule:

Jon Manasse, left, and Jon Nakamatsu, are artistic directors of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, courtesy image

In Celebration of Our Audience

Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit

Tickets:  $40 adults, $15 students, youth ages 18 and under admitted for free

Jon Manasse (clarinet) and Jon Nakamatsu (piano)

Program:

JOHANNES BRAHMS: Sonata in F Minor, Op. 120 No. 1 (2nd mvt)

GERALD FINZI: Five Bagatelles (Nos. 1, 2 and 5)

FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN: Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49 

Jon Nakamatsu, piano

CARL MARIA VON WEBER: Grand Duo Concertant in E-flat Major, Op. 48

Escher Quartet and Two Jons

Friday, August 6, 2021, at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Wellfleet First Congregational Church, 200 Main St, Wellfleet

Tickets:  $40 adults, $15 students, youth ages 18 and under admitted for free

Escher Quartet; Jon Manasse (clarinet); Jon Nakamatsu (piano)

Program:

The Escher Quartet, courtesy image

SAMUEL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR: Quintet in F-sharp Minor, Op. 10

ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810 – 1856): Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44

Escher Quartet and Brian Zeger

Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Cotuit Center for the Arts, 4404 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Cotuit

Tickets:  $40 adults, $15 students, youth ages 18 and under admitted for free

Escher Quartet and Brian Zeger (piano)

Program:

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 87

A Family Concert

Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 5:00 pm EST

Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor’s Center Amphitheater, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham

Imani Winds (L to R), Mark Dover, Clarinet; Brandon Patrick George, Flute; Monica Ellis, Bassoon; Kevin Newton, French Horn; Toyin Spellman-Diaz, Oboe, courtesy image

Free Admission

Imani Winds

Program:

VALERIE COLEMAN: Afro Blue Mongo Santamaria

SEEN NATHALIE JOACHIM:

Mysterious Flowers

This Old House

Tiny Golden Bells

VALERIE COLEMAN: Traditional Spirituals

Steal Away

Go Tell it on the Mountain

A Woman’s Perspective

Friday, August 13, 2021, at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Wellfleet First Congregational Church, 200 Main Street, Wellfleet

Tickets:  $40 adults, $15 students, youth ages 18 and under admitted for free

Imani Winds

Program:

VALERIE COLEMAN: Umoja

RUTH CRAWFORD SEEGER: Suite for Wind Quintet

REENA ESMAIL: The Light is the Same

VALERIE COLEMAN: “Afro-Cuban” Concerto

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