Evento

Manasse-Nakamatsu Duo

Program: Brahms Sonata #2; Chopin; Goodwin; Messager; Novacek; Poulenc; Stravinsky

Comprised of clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, two of America's most distinguished artists, the MANASSE/NAKAMATSU DUO immediately established itself with a highly acclaimed 2004 performance in Boston. Subsequent coast-to-coast touring has included appearances on some of the country's most prestigious series: New York City's Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Washington's Dumbarton Oaks and National Gallery of Art, Brookings Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, Eastman School of Music, Des Moines Art Center, Duke University, Kansas State University, Montalvo Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts, San Jose Chamber Music Society, Fort Worth's Van Cliburn Foundation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The artists are also heard at the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, which they serve as co-directors.

The Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo is also dedicated to expanding the concert repertoire for their instruments' beautifully combinative sounds. To date, the artists have commissioned John Novacek's Four Rags for Two Jons and Paquito D'Rivera's The Cape Cod Files. Subsequently expanded and orchestrated by the composer, The Cape Cod Concerto received its world premiere in May 2011 by Symphony Silicon Valley.
Individually, Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu have developed extensive repertoires and lengthy discographies. Their hundreds of performances include concerto engagements, solo recitals and chamber music collaborations with orchestras, universities and music festivals, here at home and throughout the world. Additionally, Jon Manasse served as the principal clarinetist of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, performing under the batons of James Levine, Andrew Davis, and Valery Gergiev. Jon Nakamatsu is the Gold Medalist of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997.

"Jon Nakamatsu's contribution is just as important as Mr. Manasse's, and their partnership is complete. Mr. Nakamatsu's playing is as meltingly beautiful as Mr. Manasse's." -- The New York Times