MANCHESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL COMMISSIONS COMPOSITION FOR 2019 PREMIERE

Manchester Music Festival (MMF) is pleased to announce the commission of an original clarinet quintet by critically-acclaimed composer Christopher Theofanidis.

The work will premiere on July 11, 2019, at the festival’s star-studded opening night concert at the Southern Vermont Arts Center. Theofanidis will be in attendance at the premiere and will participate in outreach events leading up to the concert.

Grammy nominated composer Christopher Theofanidis

Theofanidis received a 2017 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Composition. His original works have been performed by major orchestras around the globe, including the London Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Philadelphia Orchestra. Past commissions include the American Ballet Theatre, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the San Francisco and Houston Grand Opera companies. Theofanidis is composer-in-residence at the Aspen Music Festival and serves on the faculty of Yale University.

Underwriting for the commission has been provided by the James H. and Irene M. Hunter Charitable Trust. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Hunter Charitable Trust," said Adam Neiman, MMF artistic director. "Contributing to the music of our time is a moral imperative for any world-class festival. A commission by one of America's most celebrated contemporary composers truly embodies the legacy of MMF as a leading American music festival."

In addition to the premiere of the composition, the 2019 opening night of the festival promises to be a glittering evening, featuring masterworks by Brahms, Schubert, and Schumann, and boasting a lineup of virtuoso artists including pianist Jon Nakamatsu (1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist), violist Toby Appel (The Juilliard School), clarinetist Alex Fiterstein (2001 Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition Winner), and The Ariel Quartet (2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Winner.)

Manchester Music Festival is currently offering pre-season discount prices through December 31, 2018. Ticket information is available at www.mmfvt.org and by calling the festival office at 802-362-1956.