Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival Sets 2016 Season

The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival (CCCMF), celebrating 37 years as Cape Cod's premiere presenter of summer chamber music, announces its 2016 summer season, presenting 13 compelling concerts from July 29 through August 26 at 7:30 pm in locations throughout the region.

Several major milestones are commemorated during the Festival's 37th season, including the 10th anniversary of Artistic Directors Jon Nakamatsu and Jon Manasse, and Executive Director Elaine Lipton. "We are greatly anticipating the outstanding artists and thrilling repertoire that will make this 4-week season unforgettable!" said Nakamatsu and Manasse. "We can't wait to be back on the Cape!" The artistic directors take the stage in several concerts over the course of the festival.

A notable season highlight, the opening concert, The Next Generation features stars of tomorrow. Phenomenal students and faculty of Curtis On Tour, the global touring initiative of the famed Curtis Institute present a program of Schubert, Elgar and a regional premiere of composer Jonathan Bailey Holland's String Quartet, a new work commissioned by CCCMF, inspired by Cape Cod National Seashore, in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts and the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary as a world renowned ensemble, Emerson String Quartet marks their 4th consecutive Festival appearance performing Tchaikovsky's rarely programmed 3rd String Quartet, along with works by Beethoven and Shostakovich. Imani Winds also makes a reprise appearance, recently named Ensemble in Residence at University of Chicago, featuring newest member Mark Dover on clarinet. Former CCCMF Artistic Director Brian Zeger joins the ensemble for the performance, with music ranging from Ravel and Poulenc to jazz, and works written especially for the quintet. Cellist Amit Peled returns for the Festival debut of The Tempest Trio, performing cornerstones of the piano trio repertoire. Grammy award-winning and versatile Harlem Quartet makes its CCCMF debut with an eclectic program ranging from Grieg to Dizzy Gillespie. The Borromeo Quartet returns for two concerts including the premiere of Nicholas Kitchen's arrangement of J.S. Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.

A popular feature added last season, the Festival again hosts an ensemble in residence for the Festival's final week. Critically acclaimed Escher String Quartet begins its stay in concert at the Festival's newest venue in Orleans, boasting a performance of Tchaikovsky's monumental masterwork Piano Trio in A Minor, featuring Festival Director Jon Nakamatsu. A second concert highlights Festival Director Jon Manasse performing Carl Maria von Weber's rousing Clarinet Quintet in a performance that will truly inspire and dazzle, with Schubert and Schoenberg also on the program. Joined by other Festival favorites, Jon Manasse, Jon Nakamatsu and the Escher perform a vibrant season finale offering chamber arrangements of three giant orchestral works by Strauss, Beethoven and Chopin.

Concerts are held in six communities from Provincetown to Cotuit, ensuring maximum accessibility to Cape Cod audiences, at these venues:

Provincetown: Provincetown Art Association and Museum, 460 Commercial Street

Wellfleet: First Congregational Church, 200 Main Street

Orleans: Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road: 73 Main Street

Chatham: First Congregational Church: 650 Main Street (at the Rotary)

Dennis: Dennis Union Church: 713 Main Street (Route 6A)

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

Tickets ordered on or before June 30: $34 General Admission; $15 for students over 18; Free for attendees 18 and under. General admission to three or more concerts $32. Emerson String Quartet $50 (individually or as part of a three concert series.)

Tickets ordered on or after July 1: $38 General Admission; $15 for students over 18; Free for attendees 18 and under. General Admission to three or more concerts $36. Emerson String Quartet $55 (individually or as part of a three concert series.)

Special benefit premium tickets are $100 to $125, including reserved seating and a pre-concert or post-concert reception for concerts on August 1, 4 and 9.

Festival seating is limited to venue capacity, advance purchase is recommended. Tickets ordered online are available at will call at the performances. Tickets may also be purchased by calling or visiting the box office at 508-247-9400 or at 3 Main Street Unit 6, North Eastham. Box office hours are 10 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Phone orders are available until 12 noon on the day of each concert.

For more information about Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival's 2016 season, performers, mission and venues, visit capecodchambermusic.org, or follow Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival on Facebook and Twitter.

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