Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo: Celebrate!

Monday, August 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Chatham, 650 Main Street, Chatham

Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo

• Jon Manasse, clarinet
• Jon Nakamatsu, piano

The Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival celebrates 20 years since Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu joined as Artistic Directors with this special performance. Clarinetist Manasse and pianist Nakamatsu tour as the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo. Following their Boston debut in 2004, the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo released its first CD for harmonia mundi usa, Brahms: Clarinet Sonatas Op. 120 Nos. 1 & 2, which received the highest praise from The New York Times Classical Music Editor James Oestreich, naming it among the Best of the Year for 2008.

One of today’s most distinguished classical artists, clarinetist Jon Manasse is internationally recognized for his inspiring artistry, uniquely glorious sound, and charismatic performing style. He’s on the faculty of The Juilliard School and principal clarinetist of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra, and the Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center.

Jon Nakamatsu won the prestigious Gold Medal at the 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He performs with leading conductors and orchestras and appears in recital and chamber collaborations worldwide. Jon is a visiting artist faculty member at Stanford University and a faculty member of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and was a judge for the 2025 Van Cliburn Competition.

The Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo’s performance will feature a wide variety of works by Leonard Bernstein, Felix Mendelssohn, Lowell Liebermann, and Gordon Goodwin. In honor of their anniversary, Jon and Jon will also present three previous Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival commissions by Pacquito D’Rivera, Vivian Fung, and John Novacek.

LEONARD BERNSTEIN                        (1918 – 1990)
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano

FELIX MENDELSSOHN                        (1809 – 1847)
Fantasy in F-sharp minor, Op. 28

LOWELL LIEBERMANN                       (b. 1961)
Berceuse (in memory of Gustave Manasse), Op. 119

PAQUITO D’RIVERA                            (b. 1948)
“Bandoneón” from The Cape Cod Files (commissioned for the Festival in 2009)

VIVIAN FUNG              (b. 1975)
“A Little Down-and-Dirty” from Down and Dirty (commissioned for the Festival in 2023)

GORDON GOODWIN              (1954 – 2025)
Third movement from Four Views for Clarinet and Piano

JOHN NOVACEK                                  (b. 1964)
4th Street Drag and Full Stride Ahead+ from Four Rags for Two Jons (commissioned for the Festival in 2006)

Following the performance of “Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo: Celebrate!” at the First Congregational Church of Chatham, join the musicians for a private dinner in the home of a Festival board member in Harwichport. This special opportunity is available for an additional donation of $100. Seating is limited; please purchase your tickets today.