Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2021/07 – July

Pinchas Zukerman and Amanda Forsyth

George Li

Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival launches its dynamic six-week 40th Anniversary Season, with The Pinchas Zukerman Trio performing  a July 5 Gala Concert. 

The trio – composed of virtuoso violinist Pinchas Zukerman, cellist Amanda Forsyth, and pianist George Li – will perform Trio in E Minor by Shostakovich; and Trio in A Minor by Tchaikovsky. 

That’s just a hint of the exciting events that shape the festival’s busy season.

“As always, we’ll offer some of the world’s greatest music, internationally-known performers, beautifully intimate settings, the cool mountains, fine dining and art, and more. Creative programming and extraordinary musicians are a signature of our Festival, and we once again welcome an exciting mix of old friends with brilliant new guest musicians,” says Dr. WIlliam Ransom, the Festival’s Anna and Hays Mershon Artistic Director. “Having grown to a six-week summer season now, with additional fall and spring concerts and events and celebrating our 40th anniversary, we are now one of the largest and longest-running Festivals in the US. I hope everyone will come join the fun this summer and celebrate the best life has to offer with us!”

The season will see the Plateau debut of harpist Bridget Kibbey, who’s been called “The Yo Yo Ma of the Harp,” and young pianist Michael Gurt, who’ll perform “The Virtuoso Piano.” 

The season wraps with the Gershon/Cohn Final Gala at the Village Green Commons, Sunday, August 8 with “The Eight Seasons,” another demonstration of the festival’s playful programming. This pairing of performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, will feature the talents of violinist David Coucheron, The Eroica Trio, and The Festival Chamber Orchestra. The celebration continues with dinner at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club.  

In addition to the performances scheduled over its bravura six weeks, the festival will be offering its Festival Feasts series, its intriguing Salons, and the immensely popular Interlude Concert. Naturally, it’ll once again be staging its Family Concert (of Peter and the Wolf) and Ice Cream Social. The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival brings an added dimension of excitement to its 40th anniversary season with a series of Feasts and Salons embroidered within its six-week calendar.

Feasts are exclusive dinners or cocktail buffets attended by the Festival’s artists, who, instead of performing, engage in sparkling conversation with their dinner guests. 

Salons are casual events featuring Festival musicians performing short programs, followed by light hors d’oeuvres and drinks. 

For tickets and details about the entire season, visit h-cmusicfestival.org or call (828) 526-9060.

2021 Feasts of the Festival 

“Zukerman Trio at Freesia Ridge”

Monday, July 5th – 7 P.M.

$150/person  –  16 Places

Special Guests: Pinchas Zukerman, Amanda Forsyth

George Li

Hosts: Judy & Louis Freeman

“Bastille Celebration”

Thursday, July 15th – 6:30 P.M.

$125/person  –  10 Places

Special Guests: Luke Fleming, Amy Schwartz Moretti

Hosts: Olivia & Bob Holt, Kathleen & Ray Michaels

“Virtuoso Pianist”

Sunday, July 25th – 7 P.M.

$125/person  –  15 Places

Special Guest: Michael Gurt

Hosts: Cathy & Mike Crosby

“Bailey Times Two”

Saturday, July 31st – 7:15 P.M.

$125/person  –  12 Places

Zuill and Allison Bailey

Hosts: Martha & Al Pearson

“Dynamic Duo: David and Sara”

Friday, August 6th – 12 Noon Brunch

$100/person  –  16 Places

Special Guests: David Coucheron, Sara Sant’Ambrogio

Host: David & Jill Krischer

“Julie Coucheron Performs at Cloud Manor”

Wednesday, September 1 – 6 P.M.

$150/person – 25 Places

An Exceptional Cocktail Buffet

Hosts: Greg & Mary Thompson

2021 Festival Salons

“Yo Yo Ma of the Harp”

Thursday, July 22nd – 6 P.M.

$75/person  – 25 Places

Special Performing Guest: Bridget Kibbey

Hosts: Kay Kramer & Frank Cohen

“Rhapsody in Blue”

Tuesday, July 27th – 6 P.M.

$75/person  –  35 Places

Special Performing Guest – William Ransom

Hosts: Teri Dolci, Sibyl Fishburn, Sam Hollis

In Honor of Archie Norton