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Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival 2025: 'In Between Lines' July 19 - August 17
The 42nd Season of Long Island’s Longest-Running Classical Music Festival Presents 11 Concerts of Music Inspired by Literature
A moment from BCMF 2024; Joseph Parrish performs in BCMF 2023; photos by Michael Lawrence
The theme of Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival 2025, the 42nd season of Long Island’s longest-running classical music festival, is “In Between Lines: A summer of music inspired by literature.” Eleven concerts, from July 19 to August 17, feature works from Baroque to contemporary sparked by poetry and language, performed by some of the best chamber musicians in the world.
The festival theme is explored in such works as Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words for piano; Telemann’s “Gulliver’s Travels” Suite for Two Violins; Robert Beaser’s The Old Men Admiring Themselves in Water, inspired by a Yeats poem, for flute and piano; John Metcalf’s Not the Stillness, inspired by a line from T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets, for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano; and Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet, an extrapolation of one of the composer’s own songs. Other festival highlights include such audience favorites as Schumann’s Piano Quintet, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, piano quartets by Beethoven and Brahms, and selections from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons paired with those from Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, and works by living composers Eve Beglarian, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, Douglas Mews, Paul Moravec, Nico Muhly, Michael Torke, and Huw Watkins.
Two works will have world premiere performances this summer: a BCM-commissioned piece by Lowell Liebermann for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano, and Paul Moravec’s Meditation for flute and piano, written for BCM Artistic Director Marya Martin. Rising star bass-baritone Joseph Parrish – the one featured singer this summer – brings the festival theme into focus with a set of art songs on the opening concert.
Based at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, the festival also includes such annual events as the Wm. Brian Little Concert, preceded by wine and hors d’oeuvres, in the Channing Sculpture Garden; a wine reception and concert in the gallery of the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack; and a benefit concert and dinner at the Atlantic Golf Club.
As always, the festival’s roster of artists comprises one of the best multi-generational groups of chamber musicians to be found anywhere. Led by flutist and festival founder Marya Martin, this summer’s BCM musicians are James Austin Smith, oboe; Tommaso Lonquich and Osmo Vänskä, clarinet; David Byrd-Marrow, horn*; Kate Arndt, Stella Chen, Paul Huang, Ani Kavafian, Erin Keefe, Kristin Lee, David McCarroll, Julian Rhee*, Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, and Kevin Zhou, violin; Matthew Lipman, Natalie Loughran, Cynthia Phelps, Masumi Per Rostad, and Cong Wu, viola; Carter Brey, Brannon Cho, Mihai Marica, and Tommy Mesa*, cello; Nina Bernat and Donald Palma, bass; Francesco Barfoed*, Michael Stephen Brown, David Fung, Albert Cano Smit, Gilles Vonsattel, Orion Weiss, and Shai Wosner, piano; Kenneth Weiss, harpsichord; Ian David Rosenbaum, percussion; and Joseph Parrish, voice. (Those marked with an asterisk are making their BCM debuts.)
Bridgehampton Chamber Music
“This longtime East End festival, directed by the flutist Marya Martin, has flourished by offering concerts both effervescent and distinguished,” said The New Yorker. In the four decades since its founding in 1984, Bridgehampton Chamber Music has become known for presenting a broad range of music performed by some of the best musicians in the world in one of the most beautiful seaside settings on the East Coast. With autumn and spring mini-series joining the summer festival, Bridgehampton Chamber Music now offers programs almost year-round.
BCM Festival: Usually comprising around a dozen events over four weeks, the summer festival has developed a loyal core audience among local residents and summer visitors since it began with four artists in two concerts in the intimate setting of the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church. The festival is still based in the graceful 1842 church – which boasts glowing acoustics – and has expanded to include other special event venues, including the Channing Sculpture Garden and Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, and the Madoo Conservatory in Sagaponack.
BCM Records: In 2012, BCM launched its own record label, BCMF Records. Signifying the festival’s commitment to American composers, the label’s first recording was BCMF Premieres, a disc of contemporary American music. The label’s current discography of 12 releases includes music by Bruce Adolphe, Robert Beaser, Leon Kirchner, Howard Shore, Paul Moravec, Kevin Puts, and Elizabeth Brown, as well as Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, and more.
BCM Spring: Convinced that there were music lovers looking for more opportunities to hear excellent chamber music year-round, BCM introduced its Spring series in 2015, and in 2017 expanded it from two concerts to three.
BCM Autumn: This three-concert series was launched in the fall of 2021.
Bridgehampton Chamber Music has a wide variety of performance videos and online programs from past seasons posted on its website and YouTube channel.
BCM website “Watch & Listen” page: https://www.bcmf.org/watch-listen
BCM YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/bcmfmusic
Marya Martin
Internationally acclaimed flutist Marya Martin enjoys a musical career of remarkable breadth and achievement. Gracefully balancing the roles of chamber musician, festival director, soloist, teacher, and supporter of musical institutions, she has performed throughout the world in such halls as London’s Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall, Sydney Opera House, Casals Hall in Tokyo, and other international venues.
A native of New Zealand, Ms. Martin studied at Yale University, and shortly thereafter moved to Paris to study with flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal. After winning top prizes in the Naumburg, Munich International, and Jean-Pierre Rampal International competitions, and the Concert Artists Guild and Young Concert Artists International Auditions—all within a two-year period—she returned to the U.S. and has since appeared as a soloist with major orchestras and at leading festivals and chamber music series throughout the country.
In 2006 she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Auckland, and in 2011 received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Service Award from Yale University. Committed to expanding the flute repertoire, she has commissioned more than 20 new works. She most recently commissioned eight works for flute and piano comprising Eight Visions, an anthology published by Theodore Presser, and recorded them for the Naxos label. In 2011, Albany Records released Marya Martin Plays Eric Ewazen. Ms. Martin has been a faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music since 1996.
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 6pm wine reception, 6:30pm concert
Madoo Conservancy, Sagaponack
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Songs from the Heart: Joseph Parrish @ Madoo
A special evening of wine and music previews a summer of music inspired by words and literature: a program of American songs with the celebrated bass-baritone Joseph Parrish in the intimacy of the Madoo Conservancy. The concert will be preceded by a wine reception.
Joseph Parrish, bass-baritone; Francesco Barfoed, piano
Tickets: $75
Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival Opening Night: Schubert’s Trout
The festival opens with a celebration of music shaped by words, stories, and song. Louise Farrenc’s vibrant Trio sets the stage, and a set of art songs, performed by bass-baritone Joseph Parrish, brings the theme of text and music into intimate focus. Schubert – whose gift for marrying poetry and melody remains unmatched – provides the program finale, with his beloved and joyful “Trout” Quintet, named for one of his own songs.
Louise Farrenc Trio for Flute, Cello, and Piano, Op. 45
Franz Schubert Set of songs for bass-baritone
Franz Schubert Quintet for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass, “Trout”
Marya Martin, flute; Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violín; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; Tommy Mesa, cello; Gilles Vonsattel, piano; Donald Palma, bass; Joseph Parrish, bass-baritone
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Lyrical Contrasts: Schubert, Dohnányi & More
Schubert’s first String Trio opens the program with luminous lyricism, while Bartók’s Contrasts bursts with rhythmic vitality and color, shaped by his deep study of Eastern European folk music. Robert Beaser’s The Old Men Admiring Themselves in Water, inspired by a Yeats poem of the same name, offers a poignant meditation on aging and self-perception. Dohnányi’s thrilling Piano Quintet in C minor, composed when he was just 17, brings the evening to a stirring close with youthful brilliance and dramatic sweep.
Franz Schubert String Trio in B-flat Major, D. 471
Béla Bartók Contrasts for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano, SZ. 111
Robert Beaser The Old Men Admiring Themselves in Water for Flute and Piano
Ernst von Dohnányi Piano Quintet in C minor, Op. 1
Marya Martin, flute; Osmo Vänskä, clarinet; Erin Keefe, violin; Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violín; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; Tommy Mesa, cello; Gilles Vonsattel, piano
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 6:30pm
Atlantic Golf Club, Bridgehampton
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival Annual Benefit – Metamorphosis
The BCM Board of Directors hosts a celebration of 42 years of superb music making and friendship. The music at this year’s event celebrates the ability to grow and change, with beautiful and surprising works from Brahms to contemporary.
Douglas Mews Tangi Pohutu for Flute and Music Box
Phillip Glass Metamorphosis II, arr. for Violin and Piano
Robert Schumann (arr. Busoni) Abendlied for Clarinet and String Quartet
Johannes Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, I. Allegro
Marya Martin, flute; Osmo Vänskä, clarinet; Ani Kavafian, violin; Erin Keefe, violin; Natalie Loughran, viola; Mihai Marica, cello; Albert Cano Smit, piano
Tickets and information: 212-741-9073
Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Songs Without Words: Mendelssohn/Torke/Golijov/Fauré
This richly textured program begins with Mendelssohn’s Songs Without Words, offering intimate lyricism without a single sung note. Michael Torke’s After the Forest Fire evokes shimmering resilience, while Osvaldo Golijov’s Mariel reflects on memory and loss. Fauré’s Piano Quartet in C minor closes the evening with sweeping romanticism.
Felix Mendelssohn Selected Songs Without Words
Michael Torke After the Forest Fire for Flute, Cello and Marimba
Osvaldo Golijov Mariel for Cello and Marimba
Gabriel Fauré Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 15
Marya Martin, flute; Osmo Vanska, clarinet; Ani Kavafian, violin; Erin Keefe, violin; Natalie Loughran, viola; Mihai Marica, cello; Albert Cano Smit, piano; Ian David Rosenbaum, percussion
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Not the Stillness: Beethoven and More
From Schubert’s radiant Adagio and Rondo Concertante to Beethoven’s noble Piano Quartet in E-flat, this program journeys through elegance, energy, and innovation. Milhaud’s jazz-tinged Suite dances with wit and charm, while Eve Beglarian’s gorgeous I will not be sad in this world (commissioned by Artistic Director Marya Martin), is based on an Armenian troubadour’s song. Rounding out the program is John Metcalf’s shimmering Not the Stillness, inspired by a line from T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets, balancing motion with quiet depth.
Franz Schubert Adagio and Rondo Concertante for Piano Quartet, D. 487
Darius Milhaud Suite for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano
Eve Beglarian I will not be sad in this world for Flute and Electronics
John Metcalf Not the Stillness for Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Quartet in E-flat, Op. 16
Marya Martin, flute; Tommaso Lonquich, clarinet; Stella Chen, violin; Natalie Loughran, viola; Mihai Marica, cello; Michael Stephen Brown, piano
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Shimmering Night: Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet
This program offers a contemplation on beauty, remembrance, and grace. Schubert’s luminous Notturno opens the evening with hushed lyricism and tender intimacy. At its heart is the world premiere of a new work by Lowell Liebermann, commissioned by Bridgehampton Chamber Music: a tribute in memory of a loved one. Mozart’s beloved Clarinet Quintet in A major brings the program to a close with serenity, warmth, and timeless eloquence.
Franz Schubert Notturno for Piano Trio in E-flat Major, D. 897
Lowell Liebermann New work for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano
(World premiere of a BCM commission)
- A. Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Marya Martin, flute; Tommaso Lonquich, clarinet; Stella Chen, violin; Kevin Zhu, violin; Mathew Lipman, viola; Carter Brey, cello; Michael Stephen Brown, piano
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Friendly Rivals: Telemann & Bach
This program celebrates the vibrant world of Baroque chamber music and the close ties between J.S. Bach and Telemann – friends, colleagues, and creative giants. Bach’s Concerto for Violin and Oboe opens with expressive interplay, while Telemann’s Gulliver’s Travels brings Jonathan Swift’s satire to life with two violins. His concertos for flute, viola, and oboe d’amore – and for viola alone – highlight his flair for color and invention. C.P.E. Bach, son of J.S. and godson of Telemann, brings bold individuality to a trio that bridges generations.
J.S. Bach Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor, BWV 1060R
Georg Philip Telemann Gulliver’s Travels for Two Violins
Georg Philip Telemann Concerto for Flute, Viola, Oboe D’Amore in E minor
C.P.E. Bach Trio in D minor for Flute, Violin, and Piano
George Philip Telemann Viola Concerto in G major
Marya Martin, flute; James Austin Smith; David McCaroll, violin; Kate Arndt, violin; Kevin Zhu, violin; Matthew Lipman, viola; Cong Wu, viola; Carter Brey, cello; Nina Bernat, bass; Ken Weiss, harpsichord
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – Sublime Laments: Hummel/Watkins/Brahms
This program traces a path from Classical brilliance to Romantic turmoil. Hummel’s elegant Septet dazzles with its vibrant textures and playful interplay, while Huw Watkins’s Lament explores both the tender and enraging sides of loss. The evening culminates in Brahms’s stormy “Werther” Piano Quartet —a work infused with the emotional intensity of Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther, where passion, restraint, and longing collide.
Johann Nepomuk Hummel Septet No. 1 in D minor for Flute, Oboe, Horn, Viola, Cello, Bass,
and Piano, Op. 74
Huw Watkins Lament for Horn and Piano
Johannes Brahms Piano Quartet no. 3 in C minor, Op. 60, “Werther”
Marya Martin, flute; James Austin Smith, oboe; David Byrd-Marrow, horn; David McCaroll, violin; Cong Wu, viola; Brannon Cho, cello; Nina Bernat, bass; David Fung, piano; Shai Wosner, piano
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Friday, August 15, 2025, 6pm wine and hors d’oeuvres, 7pm concert
Channing Sculpture Garden
Vivaldi’s iconic Four Seasons (for which he also wrote accompanying sonnets) meets Piazzolla’s sultry Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) in a program where time, place, and style intertwine. From the bright renewal of Vivaldi’s “Spring” to the tempestuous heat of his “Summer,” nature is rendered in Baroque brilliance. Piazzolla’s “Winter” and “Autumn,” by contrast, pulse with tango rhythms and urban melancholy, reimagining the seasons through the ardent lens of Buenos Aires. Together, these works offer a striking conversation across continents—earthy, electric, and timeless.
Antonio Vivaldi Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8 RV 269, “Spring” from The Four Seasons
Astor Piazzolla “Winter” from Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)
Piazzolla “Autumn” from Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)
Vivaldi Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, "Summer" from The Four Seasons
Marya Martin, flute; Paul Huang, violin; Kristin Lee, violin; Julian Rhee, violin; Cindy Phelps, viola; Brannon Cho, cello; Kenneth Weiss, harpsichord; Donald Palma, bass
Tickets: $175
Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 6pm
Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church
Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival – The Last Word: A Festive Finale
The season concludes with a program that balances radiant expression and reflective stillness. Frühling’s lush Trio in A minor opens with Romantic elegance, while Nico Muhly’s Short Variation offers a contemporary echo of Haydn’s Seven Last Words of Christ. The world premiere of Paul Moravec’s Meditation – written for Artistic Director Marya Martin – offers a moment of intimate beauty and personal connection. Schumann’s exhilarating Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, brimming with passion, poetry, and triumph, brings the season to a jubilant close.
Carl Frühling Trio in A minor for Flute, Cello, and Piano, Op. 40
Nico Muhly Short Variation on Mulier, ecce filius tuus from Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of
Christ for String Quartet
Paul Moravec Meditation for Flute and Piano (World premiere)
Schumann Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44
Marya Martin, flute; Paul Huang, violin; Kristin Lee, violin; Cindy Phelps, viola; Brannon Cho, cello; Orion Weiss, piano
Tickets: $75, $50, $10 student ticket
Tickets and information: www.bcmf.org, 631-537-6368
May 19, 2025
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