Among the world’s leading violinists over the past 5 decades, Gidon Kremer has established and sustained a worldwide reputation as one of the most original and compelling artists of his generation. He has appeared on almost every major concert stage as recitalist and with the most celebrated orchestras of Europe and North America, and has worked with many of the greatest conductors of the past half century.  After winning a series of prestigious awards, including the Queen Elisabeth Competition and first prize in both the 1969 Paganini and 1970 Tchaikovsky International Competitions, his career erupted.

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Gidon Kremer

Shalin Liu Performance Center

This unforgettable closing concert brings some of Schubert’s greatest works with cellist Colin Carr and pianist Kyungwha Chu opening with Schubert’s expressive Arpeggione sonata. The concert culminates with an all-star ensemble performing his glorious Octet in F major, which Schubert modeled after Beethoven’s famed Septet.

An Evening of Schubert

Recipient of the prestigious 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant and the 2017 Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, violinist Paul Huang “possesses a big, luscious tone, spot-on intonation and a technique that makes the most punishing string phrases feel as natural as breathing” (Washington Post). He joins with pianist Roman Rabinovich, praised for his “uncommon sensitivity and feeling” (New York Times), and winner of the 2008 Rubinstein International Piano Competition for a program of Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens and more.

Paul Huang & Roman Rabinovich

This cabaret shares the music of cinematic greats like Ennio Morricone (Cinema Paradiso, Once Upon a Time in America), John Williams (Schindler’s List) and Heinz Provost (Intermezzo).

Cabaret: Music from the Movies

Grammy Award winning ensemble Third Coast Percussion has been praised for “commandingly elegant” (New York Times) performances, the “rare power” (Washington Post) of their recordings, and “an inspirational sense of fun and curiosity” (Minnesota Star-Tribune). The members of Third Coast are also accomplished teachers and currently serve as ensemble-in-residence at Denison University.

Third Coast Percussion

Called a “world-wide phenomenon” by Boston’s WBUR and named by The New Yorker as one of the “Imagination-Grabbing, Trailblazing Artists of 2014,” the Grammy-nominated A Far Cry stands at the forefront of an exciting new generation in classical music. The beloved Boston-based ensemble returns to Rockport with a dynamic program that includes Golijov, Dvorák and a new commission for Juantio Becenti.

A Far Cry

Proclaimed “a phenomenon” by the Los Angeles Times, Stewart Goodyear is an accomplished pianist and composer. His spectacular performance in last year’s Festival of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue brought audiences to their feet. This year, he brings Beethoven’s timeless “Moonlight” Sonata along with one of Goodyear’s own compositions.

Stewart Goodyear

Fresh off their win at the 2022 Banff International Quartet Competition, the Isidore Quartet have established their place as one of the most dynamic string quartets performing today. Along with the esteemed pianist Shai Wosner, they perform Brahms’s dramatic Piano Quintet in F minor.

Isidore Quartet & Shai Wosner

One of America’s foremost violinists, Stefan Jackiw joins with clarinetist Yoonah Kim and pianist Max Levinson for a truly virtuosic, lush program of Brahms and Schumann. Jackiw has been hailed for “talent that’s off the scale” (The Washington Post) and Kim is known for her “inexhaustible virtuosity” (New York Times). Together, they bring a dynamic evening of chamber masterworks from Brahms and both Clara and Robert Schumann.

Brahms & Schumann

A 2022 BBC Next Generation Artist and Winner of the Silver Medal and “Audience Favorite” at the 2019 Tchaikovsky International Competition, Cañón-Valencia performs a lush program of Bach, Ravel, Ginastera and one of his own compositions. The Strad magazine proclaims his playing as, “technically flawless, he’s totally under the skin of the composers’ idioms.”

Santiago Cañón-Valencia

Legendary pianist Marc-André Hamelin teams up with the sensational Balourdet Quartet, for a program of Mendelssohn, Al-Zand and Franck’s popular PIano Quintet. The Balourdet Quartet received Grand Prize at the 2021 Concert Artists Guild Competition, the Gold Medal at the 2020 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and is currently in residence at the New England Conservatory.

Marc-André Hamelin & Balourdet Quartet

A Night at the Opera brings the finest opera stars to our stage, including the renowned tenor Paul Groves and mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, known for her multiple Wagnerian roles on the Met stage and around the world. She is also known for creating the role of the Shaman in Tan Dun’s The First Emperor at the Met Opera. The concert also features the Rockport debut of soprano Sydney Baedke noted by Opera Canada as a “rising star to watch.” Enjoy all your favorite arias!

A Night at the Opera

A moving film, presented by the organization Looking at the Stars, about how a chamber music program in a prison impacted the incarcerated.

The film features parolee James Ruston speaking eloquently and philosophically about his experience in the judicial system and his epiphany as a prisoner exposed to world-class musical presentations produced by Looking at the Stars within the prison system.  His very personal narrative, interspersed with full performances of best-in-class classical music presentations is a moving testament to the power of such music to deliver hope and dignity to those who might need it most and expect it least. The entire production was shot on location in Toronto, Ontario. 

Film: Reclamation

A Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine Award winner, Mahan’s performances are hailed as “something to treasure” (The Times). Esfahani has set himself apart as the first harpsichordist in a generation whose work spans virtually all areas of classical music. He joins with the Escher Quartet for a program featuring works of J.S. Bach along with a new work by Mark Applebaum.

Mahan Esfahani & Escher Quartet

Known for their profound musical insight, the Escher Quartet brings a program of Mozart, Bartók and Dvorák. Regular season artists at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Wigmore Hall, this quartet is renowned around the world for its “…eloquent, full-blooded playing” (BBC Music Magazine).

Escher Quartet

Trumpeter Jens Lindemann brings his All-Star Brass quintet, comprised of the greatest soloists in the world, to perform an eclectic program ranging from Gabrieli, Bach, Ellington, the Beatles and more!

All Star Brass

This eclectic program will take concertgoers on quite a ride, traveling from stately Handel violin/viola duos to earthy jazz and Americana pieces to a six hand piano piece before ending in delightfully esoteric compositions using wristwatches and …metaphysics? Come on, admit it. You’re intrigued.

Cabaret: Violins, Pianos & Watches, Oh My!

Acclaimed as both soloists and collaborators, violinist Chad Hoopes, joins with pianist Anne-Marie McDermott for a riveting program of Mozart, Fauré and culminating with Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata. In addition to their solo careers, both are members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, which promises a collaboration of the highest caliber.

Chad Hoopes and Anne-Marie McDermott

An all-star ensemble, led by pianist Gilles Vonsattel, brings a program with two chamber music greats—Schumann’s Piano Quartet and Schubert’s famed “Trout” Quintet. The “Trout” Quintet is one of the most recognizable chamber works of all time and a favorite of musicians and audiences alike.

Schubert & Schumann

A Deutsche Grammophon recording artist and winner of the Leonard Bernstein Award, pianist Jan Lisiecki returns to the Festival with a breathtaking program of Chopin Etudes and Nocturnes.

Jan Lisiecki

Named one of the greatest string quartets of the last 100 years by BBC Music Magazine, the GRAMMY nominated Dover Quartet, along with guests, bring a dynamic opening night program of Haydn, George Walker and Mendelssohn’s masterful octet.

Festival Opening Night

Four hands, twenty fingers…one amazing night of music! Come hear the incredibly talented Naughton sisters (the first piano duo to win the coveted Avery Fisher Grant) make their Rockport debut with a powerhouse program that includes pieces by Mendelssohn, Fauré, Brahms and Ravel among others.

Rockport Chamber Music Festival

Aug 12, 2023

Gidon Kremer

Jul 9, 2023

An Evening of Schubert

Rockport Chamber Music Festival