MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — The Manchester Summer Chamber Music series will celebrate its 15th season this month, featuring 17 musicians from around the world who will come together for six performances from Aug. 8-22.
This chamber music series was founded in 2009 by Manchester-by-the-Sea native Sage Cole and Andover native Lorna Tsai, who wanted to share classical music of the highest caliber with North Shore communities.
“Combining the magic of warm summer nights with dynamic interpretations of chamber music gems and vibrant new music, Manchester Summer Chamber Music offers performances that welcome audiences of all backgrounds and ages,” according to a program note.
As the resident chamber music series of the Barn at the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Road in Ipswich, Manchester Summer Chamber Music will present three Saturday night concerts at that venue.
The annual house concerts with pianist Dr. Ryo Yanagitani will again take place at the residence of Stephen and Isabella Bates in Manchester, and also at Gathr Work in downtown Ipswich.
The schedule is as follows; all concerts are at 7 p.m.:
Aug. 8: Treblemakers is the first of the three concerts at the Barn at the Crane Estate. The concert features two “Four Seasons”: Antonio Vivaldi’s magnum opus as well as Astor Piazzolla’s inventive tribute to Vivaldi.
Aug. 12-13: Café Music will be performed at the Bates’ residence. The program features Yanagitani who will lead a narrative performance centering on Paul Schoenfield’s “Café Music.” The Café Music program also will be presented Aug. 14 at Gathr Work, 42 Market St., Ipswich.
Aug. 15: Red Sky is the second concert at the Barn at the Crane Estate. This evening of movements from celebrated string quartets including “the storm” of Beethoven’s “Serioso Quartet,” a more tranquil piece with Caroline Shaw’s “Orangery,” and “the tempest” of Mendelssohn’s “String Quartet Op. 80.”
Aug. 22: Starry Night is the last concert of the season and the third concert at the Barn at the Crane Estate. The program describes the concert as a “celebration of the beauty of late summer with music that wraps us in the warm, nostalgic embrace of an August night.” The music program features the complete Brahms String Sextet No. 1 as well as movements from Borodin, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Paul Wiancko string quartets.
Before each concert at the Barn at Crane Estate, audience members are invited to arrive early with a picnic and relax in the walled garden in front of the barn. Note: the liquor license permits only alcohol purchased from the vendor, Harbor Tap Trailer, while on the premises.
All concerts are $50 at the door and $45 in advance. Concerts sell out. Members of the Trustees pay $45 at any time for all Barn concerts. Tickets are available online, and at the door based on availability. Advance purchase is recommended due to limited capacity. Youth under 18 are free at all three Barn at Crane Estate concerts. For tickets and information, visit www.manchestersummerchambermusic.org or call 978-312-2062.
Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.