Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival is back on stage, August 3-13, 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 will have their choice of three atmospheric venues. The historic, 300-year-old First Congregational Church in Wellfleet, the picturesque Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor’s Center in Eastham, and one of Cape Cod's major performing arts hubs; 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 Executive Director Paul Schwendener's first season at CCCMF. Elaine Lipton - currently Executive Director Emeritus - will be retiring at the end of August 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 online at www.capecodchambermusic.org. 

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 42^nd 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.

CALENDAR LISTING

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Cotuit Center for the Arts

4404 Falmouth Road, Cotuit MA

 

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 

Friday, August 6, 2021

at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Wellfleet First Congregational Church

200 Main St, Wellfleet, MA

 

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

Program:

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

ROBERT SCHUMANN: Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44

 

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Cotuit Center for the Arts 

4404 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Cotuit, MA 

 

Escher Quartet and Brian Zeger (piano)

Program:

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

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

Thursday, August 12, 2021

at 5:00 pm EST

Cape Cod National Seashore Visitor’s Center Amphitheater 

50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA 

 

Imani Winds

Program: TBA

 

Free to the public

Friday, August 13, 2021

at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

Wellfleet First Congregational Church 

200 Main Street, Wellfleet, MA 

 

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