35 Years of Masterful Music

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2016/05 - May

The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival has won an international reputation for its lineup of world-class artists and budding young talents, coupled with innovative programming.

This year, its 35th season, promises more of the same. In fact, the excitement starts before the season even begins.

“Chamber Music in the Garden” will be held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Sunday May 15. In addition to a festive program of garden music played by the Vega Quartet, enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres and explore the blockbuster Dale Chihuly Glass Exhibit throughout the garden. 

Next, there’s another special not-to-be-missed program, “Champagne and Chopin” in Highlands, with two pianos, on June 26; and the annual free Picnic Concert at a new venue this year, the beautiful Kelsey-Hutchinson Park in Highlands on June 29. 

Making their festival debut this summer are the The Emerson, Cecilia and Canterbury Quartets. 

The Emerson String Quartet has accumulated an unparalleled list of achievements over three decades: more than thirty acclaimed recordings, nine Grammys (including two for Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, Musical America’s “Ensemble of the Year” and collaborations with many of the greatest artists of our time. In addition to their Highlands-Cashiers debut, the quartet will be performing this year in Denmark, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, Turkey, Austria, Hungary and the United Kingdom; they’ll also visit Moscow, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul. The Emerson continues its series at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC for its 37th season, and is presented by Lincoln Center’s “Great Performers” in a three-part series of late Haydn and early Beethoven string quartets in April and May.    

“The season proper begins on July 1 and 2 celebrating both our Founder Lucas Drew and the 4th of July weekend, with a “Founder’s Celebration” featuring Schubert’s Trout Quintet with David Coucheron, Kate Ransom and others,” says Dr. William Ransom, The Anna and Hays Mershon Artistic Director. “Other highlights include the Festival debut of the Cecilia String Quartet, a brilliant Canadian group who are one of the top young Quartets in the world, and I am particularly excited that Russian violinist Roman Kim, who is being called ‘Paganini reincarnated’ for good reason will join us again. You will not want to miss the Gary Motley Jazz Trio who will have an evening of their own in “All That Jazz” – one performance only on July 3. We welcome back pianists Julie Coucheron and Elizabeth Pridgen for Brahms and Dohnanyi, present an all-new CelloMania II; and the summer would not be complete without our friends William and Alexandra Preucil, the Vega Quartet, and the Eroica Trio among others.” 

Highlighting the season will also be the return of legendary clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. 

“Whenever we are able to present the Festival Chamber Orchestra, the concerts are always unforgettable – and so our final Gala Concert (and wonderful dinner after) on Sunday, August 7, will feature the Orchestra performing Mozart’s beautiful ‘Violin Concerto in A’ with Andres Cardenes, soloist; and we wrap up with a first-ever Festival performance of Beethoven’s ‘Piano Concerto #4 in G Major’ with yours truly taking a bow,” says Dr. Ransom. 

For tickets and information, call (828) 526-9060.