Chamber Music Monterey Bay Announces Updated 60th Anniversary Season

Chamber Music Monterey Bay Announces Updated 60th Anniversary Season

CARMEL, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2026) — Chamber Music Monterey Bay (CMMB) announces an update to its much-anticipated 2026–2027 60th Anniversary Concert Season, featuring six performances by world-renowned ensembles and musicians.

The season continues CMMB’s longstanding tradition of bringing exceptional chamber music to the Monterey Peninsula. In celebration of its milestone 60th anniversary, CMMB will present six performances rather than its traditional five-concert season.

The 2026–2027 season includes:

60th Anniversary Season Opening Night — Nov. 7, 2026

Due to circumstances preventing the previously announced ensemble from entering the United States, CMMB will welcome in its place an exceptional gathering of artists spanning multiple generations of celebrated chamber musicians.

The evening’s program will feature:

ERNEST CHAUSSON (1855–1899)
Concert in D for Violin, Piano and String Quartet, Op. 21 (1889–1891)

FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797–1828)
String Quintet in C Major, D. 956 (1828)

Featured musicians include:

Orion Weiss, piano
Grace Park, violin
Todd Phillips, violin
Brendan Speltz, violin
Luke Fleming, viola
Andrew Janss, cello
Peter Stumpf, cello

Miró Quartet — Dec. 5, 2026

This dynamic and much-loved ensemble returns with a varied program featuring works by Haydn, Kevin Puts, Puccini and Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera, one of the most important classical composers of the Americas in the 20th century. The program will include a work by Puts that is a CMMB co-commission.

Claremont Trio — Jan. 23, 2027

The Claremont Trio was the first winner of the prestigious Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award, and CMMB is pleased to welcome the ensemble back for its third visit to Carmel. The program includes trios by Beethoven, Rebecca Clarke and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, along with a jazz-influenced work by Paul Schoenfield.

Cuarteto Casals — Feb. 27, 2027

Following its acclaimed first performance for CMMB three seasons ago, Cuarteto Casals returns to Carmel with a program featuring works by Haydn, Shostakovich, Bach and Mendelssohn.

Jon Nakamatsu — April 3, 2027

Pianist Jon Nakamatsu returns for his ninth appearance with CMMB with a program designed to offer audiences a few surprises. Rather than reveal the full experience in advance, CMMB invites concertgoers to join Nakamatsu for an evening of discovery.

Manhattan Chamber Players — May 8, 2027

The Manhattan Chamber Players return with another ambitious program, beginning with a Haydn quartet followed by a new piano quartet by composer Andrea Casarrubios. The work, a CMMB co-commission, will receive its West Coast premiere.

Casarrubios’ acclaimed work for solo cello, SEVEN, will follow, and the evening will conclude with a masterpiece by Brahms.

Pre-Concert Talks

Each performance will be preceded by an informative and entertaining 30-minute pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. in the concert hall. Led by a musicologist, the talks provide audiences with additional context and insight into the composers, works and evening’s program.

Continuing a 60-Year Tradition

Chamber Music Monterey Bay remains committed to enriching the cultural life of the community through exceptional chamber music performances and educational outreach.

The anniversary season will continue CMMB’s popular “Kids Up Front & Free!” initiative, helping make world-class chamber music accessible to young people through special ticket opportunities for youth, chaperones and music teachers.

For additional information about Chamber Music Monterey Bay and the 2026–2027 60th Anniversary Season, visit www.chambermusicmontereybay.org.

Media Contact

Chamber Music Monterey Bay
831-625-2212
info@chambermusicmontereybay.org
www.chambermusicmontereybay.org