Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

Written By: Brenda Baldwin | Issue: 2018/08 - August

The 37th annual Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival concludes in August with performances by four renowned musicians.  On August 3 through 6, Zuill Bailey, Natasha Paremski, and Richard Stoltzman will present works by Boccherini, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Bach, and Brahms in Highlands (Friday and Sunday evenings at the Highlands Performing Arts Center) and Cashiers (Saturday and Monday evenings at the Albert Carlton Library).   

Cellist Zuill Bailey’s combination of musical artistry, technical wizardry, and engaging personality makes him one of the most engaged cellists today.  An acclaimed recording artist with over 20 titles, he won a best solo performance Grammy Award in 2017 for his live recording of “Tales of Hemingway.”  His “Bach Cello Suites” soared to number one on the Classical Billboard Charts, and his Dvorak Concerto CD is listed in the “Penguin’s Guide” as one the Top 1000 Classical Recordings of all time.  He has collaborated with pianist Awadagin Pratt, producer Quincy Jones, and cellist Janos Starker.

Pianist Natasha Paremski reveals astounding virtuosity, musical sensibility, and flawless technique.  She is a regular guest of many major orchestras, a celebrated recitalist, and recording artist, as well as a passionate chamber musician.  Regular recital partners, Ms. Paremski and Mr. Bailey have recorded a number of CDs.  Their Britten album on Telarc debuted at number one on the Billboard Classical Chart, remaining there for a number of weeks, in addition to being featured on The New York Times Playlist.

Richard Stoltzman’s musicianship and personal magnetism have made him one of today’s most sought-after concert artists.  A two-time Grammy Award winner, he has appeared as a solo clarinetist with more than 100 orchestras, as a recitalist and chamber music performer, and as an innovative jazz artist.  His discography numbers over 80 releases, including the Grammy-winning recordings of Brahms Sonatas with Richard Goode and the Trios of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mozart with Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma.

The Final Gala Concert and Dinner on August 12 features legendary violinist Pinchas Zukerman and his Trio.  Mr. Zukerman has remained a phenomenon in the world of classical music for over four decades.  His musical genius, prodigious technique, and unwavering artistic standards are a marvel to audiences and critics.  This a rare opportunity to hear and meet him in our intimate setting.

Further details about these superb chamber music concerts and tickets are available by calling (828) 526-9060, via email at [email protected], or online at h-cmusicfestival.org.