Join us for our 37th season! During the two-week festival we bring renowned musicians together with young, rising artists to perform six exciting concerts in Edwards Auditorium at the University of Rhode Island.

Schedule of Events:

July 23, 2025

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Concert 1: A Celebration Of Latinx Music

Concert 1 opens the festival with a program celebrating the rich musical traditions of Latin America, including pieces from late Argentinian composers Alberto Ginastera and Astor Piazzolla and living Costan Rican composer Marvin Camacho. While Ginastera drew inspiration from folk music of his native country and invited listeners to experience the unique sounds and rhythms of Argentina, Piazzolla revolutionized the genre of tango by infusing it with elements of jazz and classical music. The program also includes a solo piano piece by French composer Maurice Ravel, whose "Alborada del gracioso" is a lively, colorful, and sophisticated piece that showcases his interpretation of Spanish music. Prior to the concert, the audience is invited to attend a free pre-concert QandA with artists Alexey Alexandov and Ekaterina Skliar at 6:30 PM. Among other highlights, this concert presents the KCMF debut Adrián Montero (classical guitar) and Moé Takamatsu (piano), both graduates of URI who play together as Hashi Duo. Hashi means "bridge" in Japanese, and the duo combines traditional and contemporary composers from Japan and Latin America.

Alberto Ginastera - Piano Sonata No. 1
Natalie Zhu (piano)

Marvin Camacho - 7 Haikus
HASHI Duo (classical guitar, piano)

Maurice Ravel - " Alborada del Gracioso" from Miroirs
Henry Kramer (piano)

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July 25, 2025

7:30 pm - 9:15 pm: Concert 2: A Collection Of Songs

Concert 2 features Curtis-On-Tour delivering a collection of works that are all based on songs, exhibiting the wide range of musical interpretations that can arise from a single source of inspiration. From Manuel de Falla's Suite Populair Espagnole to George Gershwin's From Porgy and Bess (transcribed by Jascha Heifetz), each composer takes the original song or poem and transforms it into a unique piece of music that reflects their own style and artistic vision. Among other highlights, mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg of New Zealand makes her KCMF debut with this concert. We are also delighted to present a pre-concert mini recital at 6:30 PM featuring 14-year-old cellist Julie Chen.

Manuel de Falla - Suite Populaire Espagnole
Roberto Díaz (viola),  Hanchien Lee (piano)

Johannes Brahms - Zwei Gesänge, Op. 91
Katie Trigg (mezzo-soprano),  Roberto Díaz (viola), Hanchien Lee (piano)

Rimsky-Korsakov: Song of the Indian Guest fromSadko (arranged by Fritz Kreisler)

Gluck: Melodie fromOrpheus and Eurydice (arranged by Fritz Kreisler)

Gershwin: Porgy and Bess Fantasy (arranged by Igor Frolov)
Elissa Lee Koljonen (violin), Hanchien Lee (piano)

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July 26, 2025

4:00 pm - 5:15 pm: In Triplicate | Kingston Chamber Music Festival at the Jamestown Arts Center

The Kingston Chamber Music Festival  presents In Triplicate, a new trio of internationally acclaimed musicians violinist Jasmine Lin, cellist Clancy Newman, and bassist Nate Farrington, who compose and arrange their own music. While the members of In Triplicate are classically trained, their insatiable desire for invention leads them far outside of the classical realm, with forays into jazz, bluegrass, funk, rock, paper, scissors, and Martian. Together these unique perspectives form a rich concert experience full of surprises, while always radiating accessibility and freshness.

This special small venue performance is held at the Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) just 14 miles from the University of Rhode Island campus. The JAC is a dynamic arts organization dedicated to fostering creativity, artistic excellence, and community connection.The JAC empowers artists to develop and share their work. The exhibitions, programs, and classes provide transformative arts experiences to all ages.

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July 27, 2025

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Concert 3: "Trout"

Concert 3 presents some of the most celebrated classical music composers of all time: Ludwig van Beethoven, Robert Schuman, and Franz Schubert. Beethoven's Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 no. 1 provides a fitting introduction to Hai-Ye Ni, principal cellist of the acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra, who marks her inaugural season with KCMF with this enigmatic piece. Schumann's Piano Trio No. 2 in F Major, Op. 80 will feature internationally celebrated pianist Henry Kramer. And lastly, Schubert's upbeat The Trout Quintet in A Major, D. 667 will showcase the talent of double bassist Nathan Farrington.

Ludwig van Beethoven- Sonata for Cello and Piano No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 no.1
Hai-Ye Ni (cello), Natalie Zhu (piano)

Robert Schumann: Piano Trio No. 2 in F Major, Op. 80
Henry Kramer (piano), Jasmine Lin (violin), and Hai-Ye Ni (cello)

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July 30, 2025

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Concert 4: A Night Of Stark Contrast

Concert 4 includes three remarkable compositions: Bohuslav Martinu's String Trio No.2, Dmitri Shostakovich's Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, and Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Quintet in B-flat Major. Listeners will hear intricate interplay between the violin, viola and cello in the Martinu's string trios, with each instrument taking turns to shine in solo passages while also coming together in tight-knit harmonies with complex textures and shifting moods. The stark contrast between Shostakovich's emotionally charged Cello Sonata and Weber's delightful Clarinet Quintet promises an unforgettable musical journey. Prior to the concert, the audience is invited to attend a free pre-concert QandA with violinist Amy Oshiro at 6:30 PM. Among other highlights, KCMF fan favorite Clancy Newman-internationally acclaimed cellist and composer-will delight the audience with his masterful interpretation of this stunning repertoire.

Bohuslav Martinu- String Trio No. 2 H.238
Jasmine Lin (violin), Che-Hung Chen (viola), Clancy Newman (cello)

Dmitri Shostakovich- Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Op.40
Clancy Newman (cello), Natalie Zhu (piano)

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July 31, 2025

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Musical And Cultural Connections

On Thursday, July 31st at 7:00 PM we will present the second panel in our annual series highlighting "Musical and Cultural Connections." These conversations seek to explore the transformative power of music through dialogue about artistry, identity, heritage, and intercultural community. This year's focus is on the connection between Caribbean and Latin American culture and classical music. Panelists include Ricardo Morales, clarinetist; Adrián Montero, classical guitarist; Dr. Luis Viquez, assistant professor in orchestral conducting and director of orchestral studies at URI; and Founder and Executive Director of the Rhode Island Institute for the Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy, Lydia Perez. This event is free and open to the public.

August 1, 2025

7:30 pm - 8:45 pm: Concert 5 highlights a few favorites of Artistic Director Natalie Zhu. "Robert Schumann's Fantasiestucke, Op.73 is a set of three fantasies that come from one of the happier periods in his career," Zhu says. "Ysaÿe's solo violin sonata Ballade is a tribute to friendship; he dedicated the work to pianist George Enesco, writing: ‘I have let my imagination wander at will. The memory of my friendship and admiration for George Enesco and the performances we gave together has done the rest.' I recently heard Karel Husa's Evocations of Slovakia in a live concert, and I was blown away by this compelling work that captures the essence of Slovakian folk music while also incorporating modernist elements. And lastly, my all-time favorite is the last piece on this program, Beethoven;s Piano Trio Op.70 no.2. Beethoven's use of thematic development in this trio is truly remarkable. The main themes introduced in the first movement are developed and transformed throughout the piece, creating a sense of unity and coherence. Beethoven's personal struggles and triumphs are reflected in the music, as he explores themes of love, loss, and resilience." Among other highlights, this concert presents Ricardo Morales, principal clarinetist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and one of the most sought after clarinets of today.

Robert Schumann - Fantasiestucke, Op.73
Ricardo Morales, clarinet; Natalie Zhu, piano

Eugène Ysaÿe - Solo Violin Sonata No.3
Amy Oshiro, violin

Karel Husa - "Evocations of Slovakia" for Clarinet, Viola, and Cello
Ricardo Morales, clarinet; Che-Hung Chen, viola; Clancy Newman, cello

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August 3, 2025

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Concert 6: Celebrating 37 Years Of Musical Excellence

Concert 6 is the final concert in our 37th season. The program offers a diverse range of musical styles and influences, opening with Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate's Rattle Songs, a classical transcription of a piece typically performed by oral musicians in their Native American tradition. Tate's piece will be followed by Brahms' Clarinet Quintet and Mendelssohn's String Octet, two pieces that exemplify the timeless beauty and complexity of classical music from European descents. Each composer brings a unique perspective and voice to the world of music, enriching our understanding and appreciation of chamber music as a living art form. This concert presents the unique opportunity to hear the twice Grammy-nominated Dover Quartet perform both as a quartet and alongside other renowned musicians, including Ricardo Morales, principal clarinetists of the Philadelphia Orchestra and one of the most sought after clarinets of today.

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate - "Rattle Songs"
Dover Quartet

Johannes Brahms - Clarinet Quintet
Ricardo Morales, clarinet; Dover Quartet

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Date:
July 23 - August 3, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in Rhode Island

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