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Jon Manasse, clarinet and Jon Nakamatsu, piano

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Concerts from the National Gallery of Art

September 15, 2008, 9:00 pm

Front Row Washington features the sounds of the Manasse-Nakamatsu Duo, recorded at the National Gallery of Art.

Featured performances:

  • JOHANNES BRAHMS: Sonata in F Minor for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 120, No. 1 (1894)
  • CARL MARIA von WEBER: Grand Duo concertante in E-flat Major for Clarinet and Piano, J. 204 (1817)
  • FELIX MENDELSSOHN: Rondo capriccioso in E Major, Op. 14
  • BÉLA KOVÁCS: Hommage à Manuel de Falla
  • MAURICE RAVEL: Pièce en forme de habanera (1907)
  • JOHN NOVACEK (b. 1964) Four Rags for Two Jons

Pianist Jon Nakamatsu’s name hit the press in 1997, when he won the gold medal at the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Clarinetist Jon Manasse had served as principal chair of the Met Opera Orchestra under James Levine, as well as earning a reputation as a superb free-lance musician in New York.

Now collaborating as the Manasse-Nakamatsu Duo, their 2008 debut album of Brahms Clarinet Sonatas for Harmonia Mundi was praised by The New York Times: “Their partnership is complete; Mr. Nakamatsu’s playing is as meltingly beautiful as Mr. Manasse’s.” They currently perform concerto engagements, solo recitals and chamber music collaborations with orchestras, universities and music festivals throughout the world.