Twenty-Five Years of NCMF

“For 25 years I’ve wanted to perform the Mendelssohn Octet in Newburyport. Finally, I’m getting the chance. One of the most adored works in all the repertoire, which is affectionately referred to by my colleagues as the “Mocktet” - not to be confused with Shostakovich’s own version known as the “Shocktet” - which opens the final concert. The two octets are a natural pairing and fitting conclusion to a celebration of all that chamber music can be. The Mendelssohn is one great movement after another and an astonishing mature piece of music from a composer who was, annoyingly, only 16 when he wrote it. The festival artists are joined by the Miró String Quartet, one of the world’s great ensembles with multiple Grammys and first prizes from international competitions under their belt.

If that’s not enough for you, we have a world premiere for string quartet and soprano from Composer-in-Residence Jon Deak and Poet-in-Residence Rhina P. Espaillat based on an extraordinary poem, Just Stopping, with the inimitable Lucy Shelton.

The concert ends with the Mendelssohn, whose last movement is an “everything but the kitchen sink” fugue. As Opening Night included a Mendelssohn fugue, this is a rip-roaring way to close the circle of this summer and our 25th season. Happy birthday to us!”