45th Annual
Rockport Chamber Music Festival
Barry Shiffman, artistic director
June 12-July 12, 2026
For 45 years, Rockport has been a place where great artists feel free to take risks and audiences feel deeply connected to the music. This season reflects everything the Festival has grown to represent—artistic excellence, bold collaboration, and a spirit of discovery—creating a summer of music that is richer, more vibrant, and more inspiring than ever.
Barry Shiffman, artistic director
Friday, June 12 :: 7:30 PM
Opening Night: A CELEBRATION OF BRAHMS
Jon Kimura Parker, piano | Chee-Yun Kim, violin | Barry Shiffman, viola | Colin Carr, cello | Mira Kardan, cello
The Festival’s Opening Night features the music of Brahms, brought to life by a distinguished ensemble of celebrated soloists whose collective artistry promises an evening of richness, intimacy, and expressive power.
PROGRAM
BRAHMS: 3 Intermezzi, Op. 117
ARENSKY: Quartet No. 2 in A minor
Intermission
BRAHMS: Piano Quartet in C minor
Saturday, June 13 :: 11 AM
Music in the Morning:
MIRA KARDAN, cello | MICAH YUI, piano
This concert showcases cellist Mira Kardan in a one-hour program featuring works by Beethoven, Schumann, Dvořák, and Rossini, highlighting the cello’s lyrical voice across four distinctive musical worlds.
PROGRAM
BEETHOVEN: Cello Sonata No. 3
SCHUMANN: Fantasy Pieces
DVORAK: Silent Woods
ROSSINI: Barber of Seville (arr. by Tedesco)
Saturday, June 13 :: 5 PM
SIMONE DINNERSTEIN, piano
Simone Dinnerstein, renowned for her distinctive musical voice and celebrated Bach interpretations, performs works by Bach, Rameau, and others in a program combining clarity, imagination, and expressive depth.
PROGRAM : REFLECTIONS
RAMEAU : Gavotte et six doubles
PHILIP LASSER: Twelve Variations on Chorale by J.S. Bach
Intermission
J.S. BACH: 15 Sinfonias, BWV 787-801
KEITH JARRET: Encore from “Tokyo”
Sunday, June 14 :: 5 PM
DAVID FINCKEL, cello WU HAN, piano
BENJAMIN BEILMAN, violin
Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han—two of the most influential figures in chamber music—join violinist Benjamin Beilman for an evening devoted to Schubert, performing the Piano Trios in B-flat and E-flat, works of expansive lyricism, depth, and emotional breadth.
PROGRAM
SCHUBERT: Piano Trio in B-flat major, D.898
Intermission
SCHUBERT: Piano Trio in E-flat major, D.929
Thursday, June 18 :: 7;30 PM
BRENTANO QUARTET & JONATHAN BISS, piano
The Brentano Quartet—celebrated for its “luxuriously warm sound” and imaginative interpretations—joins pianist Jonathan Biss for a program of Haydn, Beethoven, and Dvořák, uniting one of today’s leading chamber ensembles with a pianist admired for intellectual depth and expressive clarity.
PROGRAM
HAYDN: String Quartet, Op. 20, No. 4
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 1
Intermission
DVORÁK: Piano Quintet, Op. 81, No. 2
Friday, June 19 :: 7:30 PM
A FAR CRY & ANTHONY McGILL, clarinet
A Far Cry joins Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, for a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, pairing McGill’s trademark brilliance with the ensemble’s adventurous, collaborative spirit in a program of elegance, vitality, and shared musical purpose.
Saturday, June 20 :: 11 AM
Music in the Morning:
MARK STEINBERG, violin & JONATHAN BISS, piano
Violinist Mark Steinberg of the Brentano Quartet joins pianist Jonathan Biss for a one-hour program devoted to Mozart’s violin sonatas, showcasing elegance, intimacy, and expressive dialogue from two artists celebrated for their insight and refinement.
Saturday, June 20 :: 5 PM
HUMOR & HARMONY
An Evening of Music, Film, and Comedy with the Canellakis–Brown Duo
Part concert, part film, part comedy, Humor & Harmony reinvents the recital experience as cellist-filmmaker Nicholas Canellakis and pianist-composer Michael Stephen Brown blend gorgeous classics, virtuosic originals and arrangements, and wildly popular comedy films into one unforgettable, genre-defying evening.
Sunday, June 21 :: 5 PM
PIERS LANE & FRIENDS
Piers Lane, piano | Michael Brown, piano | Danbi Um, violin | Aaron Boyd, violin | Barry Shiffman, viola | Nick Canellakis, cello | Adrianne Pieczonka, soprano
Internationally acclaimed pianist Piers Lane—renowned for his versatility as a soloist and chamber musician—leads an ensemble in a program featuring Schubert’s Fantasie for Piano, Four Hands, alongside works by Holst and Elgar.
PROGRAM
SCHUBERT: Fantasie for Piano, 4 hands
HOLST: Four Songs for Violin and Voice
ELGAR: Piano Quintet
More TBD
Thursday, June 25 :: 7:30 PM
GALVIN CELLO QUARTET
Following their spectacular 2024 Festival appearance, the Galvin Cello Quartet returns for an encore performance, bringing vibrant international energy and bold artistry to the stage. Prizewinners at the Fischoff and Victor Elmaleh Competitions, the ensemble is praised for its glorious sound and for redefining the cello quartet as a dynamic force in chamber music.
Saturday, June 27 :: 11 AM
Music in the Morning: NIGHTINGALE
Anna Stube, violin | Jeanie Chung, piano | Thomas Wolf, author, narrator
The Nightingale’s Sonata tells the moving, uplifting story of one of the first internationally renowned female violinists, combining live music, projected historical photographs, and narration by the author. Music by César Franck weaves through this powerful multimedia portrait of artistry and resilience.
Saturday, June 27 :: 7:30 PM
POIESIS QUARTET
The Poiesis Quartet, First Prize winners of the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition, perform works by Haydn, Prokofiev, and others. Known for their bold energy and commitment to new music, this acclaimed ensemble brings fresh perspective and vivid expression to the quartet tradition.
PROGRAM
HAYDN: Quartet in D Major, Op. 71, No. 2
KEVIN LAU: String Quartet No. 7
Intermission
JEROD IMPICHCHAACHAAHA’ TATE: Pisachi (Reveal) for String Quartet
PROKOFIEV: Quartet No. 2 in F major, Op. 92
Sunday, June 28 :: 5 PM
AUGUSTIN HADELICH & FRIENDS
Augustin Hadelich, violin | Jennifer Frautschi, violin | Hsin-Yun Huang, viola | Barry Shiffman, viola | James Baik, cello | Adrian Fung, cello
Grammy Award–winning violinist Augustin Hadelich takes center stage in a program that opens with a solo recital highlighting his extraordinary virtuosity and expressive range, followed by an ensemble performance of Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. A prizewinner at major international competitions, Hadelich is widely admired for his commanding technique, stylistic insight, and musical intelligence.
Wednesday, July 1 :: 7:30 PM
DELIRIUM MUSICUM
Delirium Musicum is a thrilling chamber orchestra acclaimed for its bold programming, period-inspired performance, and electrifying, genre-crossing spirit. With members from nine countries, the ensemble swept all five categories in the 2025 San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards, earning recognition as one of today’s most exciting and innovative ensembles.
Thursday, July 2 :: 7:30 PM
JOSHUA BELL, violin & LARISA MARTINEZ, soprano
Husband-and-wife duo Joshua Bell and Larisa Martínez present The Voice and the Violin, a genre-spanning program exploring art song, opera, musical theater, and works by Puerto Rican and Spanish composers—an acclaimed collaboration presented at major festivals and concert halls nationwide.
Sunday, July 5 :: 5 PM
BELL-ISSERLIS-DENK TRIO
Joshua Bell, violin | Steven Isserlis, cello | Jeremy Denk, piano
Three of today’s most celebrated soloists—violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Steven Isserlis, and pianist Jeremy Denk—come together for a special performance of works by Robert Schumann. Grammy Award–winning Bell, one of the most influential artists of his era, joins the profoundly expressive Isserlis and MacArthur Fellow Denk in an evening of poetic intensity and chamber-music brilliance.
PROGRAM
SCHUMANN: Fantasiestücke, Op 73
SCHUMANN: Piano Trio No 3, Op 110
Intermission
SCHUMANN: Romances, Op 94
SCHUMANN: Quintet, Op 44
Wednesday, July 8 :: 7:30 PM
JENS LINDEMANN & FRIENDS
Trumpeter Jens Lindemann leads an ensemble in a program that opens with a classical trumpet concerto and concludes with a lively tribute to the instrument’s greats, from Louis Armstrong and Chet Baker to Doc Severinsen and others. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Lindemann brings virtuosic command and genre-spanning artistry to this celebratory evening.
Thursday, July 9 :: 7:30 PM
BALOURDET & TERRA QUARTETS
With Barry Shiffman, viola
The Balourdet Quartet and Terra String Quartet join forces with Artistic Director Barry Shiffman on viola for an expansive program featuring works by Prokofiev and Ravel, Shostakovich’s Octet, and the U.S. premiere of a work by Osvaldo Golijov. This collaboration brings together prizewinning ensembles for an evening of intensity, imagination, and bold collective artistry.
PROGRAM
PROKOFIEV: String Quartet No 2
GOLIJOV: Tintype (US Premiere)
Intermission
RAVEL: Quartet
SHOSTAKOVICH: Octet
Friday, July 10
GALA: YUJA WANG, piano
Cocktail Reception & Dinner: 5 PM | Concert: 8 PM
Pianist Yuja Wang brings her electrifying artistry to the Festival Gala in a rare appearance that promises virtuosity, spontaneity, and breathtaking musical intensity. A Grammy Award–winning artist celebrated for her emotional honesty and fearless individuality, Wang is one of the defining musicians of her generation, captivating audiences worldwide with performances that are as dazzling, imaginative, and deeply personal as they are technically astonishing.
Sunday, July 12 :: 5 PM
A BEETHOVEN FINALE
Stewart Goodyear, piano | Yura Lee, violin | Rockport Festival Chorus
The Festival closes with a dramatic program devoted to Beethoven, culminating in a powerful piano arrangement of the Ninth Symphony performed by Stewart Goodyear with the Rockport Festival Chorus. The evening also features violinist Yura Lee in Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor, uniting intimacy and grandeur in a stirring Festival finale.
PROGRAM
BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata, No. 7 in C minor
Intermission
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9 (arr. piano & chorus)
Post-Festival Classical
Sunday, July 26 :: 2 PM
MORNINGSIDE MUSIC BRIDGE
An elite international summer program nurturing exceptional young musicians through intensive study, collaboration, and performance. Free, reservations encouraged.
Saturday, August 8 :: 5 PM
JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET, piano
Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet brings his celebrated elegance and interpretive insight to an all-French program featuring the music of Debussy and others. Renowned for his refined artistry and wide-ranging creative vision, Thibaudet offers performances of luminous color, nuance, and unmistakable style.
Sunday, August 9 :: 5 PM
RAY CHEN, violin
Violinist Ray Chen redefines the classical artist for the 21st century, combining extraordinary musicianship with global digital reach. A major international soloist and prizewinner, Chen connects millions worldwide through performances marked by virtuosity, warmth, and a deep commitment to engaging new audiences. The Guardian describes him as “a phenomenon with real star quality.”
Sunday, August 16 :: 5 PM
MARC-ANDRE HAMELIN, piano & CHARLES RICHARD HAMELIN, piano
Pianists Marc-André Hamelin and Charles Richard-Hamelin come together for a duo piano performance featuring works by Mozart, Chopin, Gershwin, and others. Uniting near-superhuman virtuosity with poetic insight, this collaboration brings brilliance, breadth, and extraordinary musical dialogue to the concert stage.
PROGRAM
MOZART: Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448
CHOPIN: Rondo in C Major for Two Pianos, Op. 73
Intermission
CHAMINADE: Pas des Cymbales, Op. 36, No. 2
NIKOLAY MEDTNER: Two Pieces for Two Pianos Op. 58
G. GERSHWIN/P. GRAINGER: Fantasy on Porgy and Bess
Sunday, August 30 :: 5 PM
BEETHOVEN & CORREIA
Shai Wosner, piano | Stella Chen, violin | Matthew Lipman, viola | Brannon Cho, cello
These renowned artists come together for a powerful collaborative program featuring chamber arrangements of Beethoven’s Leonore Overture and the “Eroica” Symphony alongside a work by Correia. This performance reimagines symphonic grandeur through collective artistry and contemporary perspective.
PROGRAM
BEETHOVEN: Leonore Overture (piano quartet arr.)
CORREIA: Cantares
Intermission
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” (piano quartet arr.)
Save the Dates
February 24: Donor Pre-sale
March 19: Subscriptions (purchase of 4 or more concerts)
April 1: Single Concert Tickets