David Krakauer and Kathleen Tagg to Perform 7/9 in Cherry Valley, NY

Grammy-nominated clarinetist David Krakauer has been praised internationally as a key innovator in modern klezmer as well as a major voice in classical music. South African-born pianist, composer and producer Kathleen Tagg has performed on four continents in leading venues such as Carnegie Hall. These two acclaimed artists will perform at Cherry Valley's Star Theater on Sunday, July 9 at in a concert presented by the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival and Cherry Valley Artworks.

Influences of world music, jazz, classical, experimental techniques and electronics blend together in the Krakauer/Tagg Duo collaboration called "Breath and Hammer: Clarinet, Piano and Beyond." Krakauer's use of extended techniques, improvisation and circular breathing on the clarinet, and Tagg's ability to use the piano as a harp, a zither, a drum and a cello augment the traditional sounds of their instruments.

Enhanced by an immersive video feed, the performance features Krakauer and Tagg's arrangements of works by composers as diverse as New York-based visionary John Zorn, Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, Cuban percussionist Roberto Rodriguez, as well as original compositions by Krakauer and Tagg, with influences ranging from interlocking African drumming patterns to romantic symphonic music to minimalism to klezmer.

"We are delighted to partner with Cherry Valley Artworks to bring these stellar artists to our community. 'Breath and Hammer' is a riveting showcase of virtuosity that will delight audiences," says Cooperstown Summer Music Festival artistic director and founder Linda Chesis.

"Artworks is very excited to bring these world class performers to Cherry Valley. The Star Theater has a history of presenting both klezmer and innovative musical performances and 'Breath and Hammer' will be a highlight of that tradition. We are also very pleased to be collaborating with Linda Chesis and the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival," says Jane Sapinsky, Executive Director of Cherry Valley Artworks.

Tickets ($25 for adults, $15 for students) are available online at cooperstownmusicfest.org, by calling Brown Paper Tickets, 800/838-3006, or at the door. No service charges are added to ticket orders.

About the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival's 19th season continues with pianist Gilles Vonsattel, Time for Three, the Jasper, Chiara and Verona string quartets, an All-Mozart concert, Vivaldi's Four Seasons, a Family Music Fest, and a Benefit Concert at Hyde Hall. In addition to the Star Theater in Cherry Valley, Festival concerts are held in Cooperstown at the Otesaga Resort Hotel, Christ Episcopal Church, Templeton Hall, and Hyde Hall. See cooperstownmusicfest.org for details. The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

About Cherry Valley Artworks

Cherry Valley Artworks 2017 Season highlights include the 6th Biennial Summer Sculpture Trail opening July 1st, Cinema Invisible, a one-day festival of short films from the Middle East and North Africa, concerts ranging from Indie rock and Zydeco to chamber music with The Fenimore String Quartet and a classical "variety show" with members of the Glimmerglass Festival Orchestra. Go to cvartworks.org for a full schedule of events.