Juilliard Presents a Recital With the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo Featuring Clarinetist Jon Manasse and Pianist Jon Nakamatsu on Monday, March 18, 2019, at 7:30pm in Juilliard’s Paul Hall

Presented as Part of Juilliard’s Saidenberg Faculty Recital Series

NEW YORK –– Juilliard presents the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo, featuring clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, on Monday, March 18, 2019, at 7:30pm in Juilliard’s Paul Hall as part of Juilliard’s Daniel Saidenberg Faculty Recital series. The program features Brahms’ Sonata for Clarinet and Piano in F Minor, Op. 120, No. 1; Chopin’s Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise brillante, Op. 22; Bernstein’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano; Paquito D’Rivera’s “Lecuonerías” from The Cape Cod Files (commissioned by the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival for the duo in 2009); and John Novacek’s Four Rags for Two Jons (commissioned for the duo in 2006).

Tickets at $20 ($10 for full-time students) are available at juilliard.edu/calendar.

About the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo

Jon Manasse, Clarinet

Jon Nakamatsu, Piano

Comprising clarinetist Jon Manasse and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, two of America's most distinguished artists, the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo established itself with a highly acclaimed 2004 debut, in Boston, and it has appeared in many of the most prestigious U.S. series since then. Recent appearances abroad include the duo’s first performances in Cuba in 2017. Since 2006, the duo has served as artistic directors of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in August. Samuel Sanders (1937-1999) was the founder of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival, and he was a longtime chamber music coach at Juilliard. He started Juilliard’s collaborative piano program, and he was also Manasse’s teacher, mentor, and collaborator.

The Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo is committed to expanding the concert repertoire for their instruments' beautifully combinative sounds. Commissioned works have included John Novacek's Four Rags for Two Jons and Paquito D'Rivera's The Cape Cod Files. Subsequently expanded and orchestrated by the composer, D’Rivera’s The Cape Cod Concerto received its world premiere in 2011. Composers Lowell Liebermann, Gordon Goodwin, and Michael Touchi have also written works premiered and toured by the duo.

Individually, Jon Manasse and Jon Nakamatsu have extensive repertoires and lengthy discographies. Their hundreds of performances include concerto engagements, solo recitals, and chamber music collaborations with orchestras, universities, and music festivals, and throughout the world. Additionally, Manasse served as the principal clarinetist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and is principal clarinet of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra at Lincoln Center, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the American Ballet Theatre orchestra, and New York City’s All-Star Orchestra. Nakamatsu was the gold medalist of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

The Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo's debut recording of Brahms’ Clarinet Sonata was chosen by the New York Times as one of its “best of 2008.” An all-American album, comprising works of Bernstein, D'Rivera, Gershwin, and Novacek, was released to international raves in 2010. More recent recordings include works of Beethoven, Weber, and both the piano and clarinet quintets of Brahms in the final recording of the Tokyo String Quartet.

Manasse and Nakamatsu frequently serve as guest speakers throughout the country and also adjudicate at many prestigious music competitions. Jon Manasse graduated from Juilliard, where he is also on the faculty; he also serves on the faculties of Lynn University and Mannes School of Music. Jon Nakamatsu holds degrees in German studies and education from Stanford University and is a faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory.

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Program Listing:

Monday, March 18, 2019, at 7:30pm in Paul Hall

Faculty Recital

Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo

Jon Manasse, Clarinet

Jon Nakamatsu, Piano

 

BRAHMS Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1

CHOPIN Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise brillante, Op. 22

BERNSTEIN Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (1942)

Paquito D’RIVERA Lecuonerías from The Cape Cod Files (commissioned by the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival for the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo, 2009)

John NOVACEK Four Rags for Two Jons (commissioned by the Manasse/Nakamatsu Duo, 2006)

 

Presented as part of Juilliard’s Daniel Saidenberg Faculty Recital Series

Tickets at $20 ($10 for full-time students) are available at juilliard.edu/calendar.