Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival Announces 43rd Season Lineup of 13 Concerts

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Artistic director Marya Martin leads the Bridgehampton, NY festival featuring a Steven Banks world premiere inspired by Nina Simone.

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The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival returns in summer 2026 for its 43rd season: 13 concerts from July 18 to August 16 offering some of the world’s finest musicians performing a lively range of repertoire old and new – as has been its hallmark. This year’s event encompasses themes both vast and personal: the nation’s 250th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the arrival in America of BCMF founder and artistic director Marya Martin.

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From Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland to Jennifer Higdon and Steven Banks , whose BCMF-commissioned work inspired by Nina Simone will have its New York premiere, the American composers and their music on the programs represent the festival’s tribute to, in Marya’s words, “the open spirit of the country that allowed me, and so many other artists from all different backgrounds to follow their passions and thrive.

The festival is the lead commissioner, along with Chamber Music Northwest and La Jolla Chamber Music, of a work from saxophonist and composer Steven Banks to have its New York premiere at the festival’s opening night: ‘to be free,’ inspired by the legendary singer Nina Simone, which will feature a vocalise, or wordless part, for singer, with flute, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano (Banks will also perform in the work).

Among other American highlights are Copland’s Appalachian Spring in its original 13-instrument arrangement as well as his Old American Songs, Aaron Jay Kernis’s 100 Greatest Dance Hits for guitar and string quartet, and Jennifer Higdon’s Amazing Grace arrangement for string quartet, along with music by William Grant Still, George Gershwin , Samuel Barber , Henry Cowell, Robert Beaser, John Corigliano , Paul Schoenfield, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson , and Mark O’Connor.

In addition, concerts of featured spotlights for violin (Johnny Gandelsman reimagining Bach’s Solo Cello Suites), marimba (“Marimba at the Gardens” at the Madoo Conservatory), and guitar chamber music (“Everybody Loves the Guitar”) join such works as Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 in a chamber arrangement, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in an arrangement for winds and strings by Marya Martin, works by New Zealand composers Gareth Farr and Salina Fisher in a nod to Marya’s roots, and piano trios, quartets, and quintets by Beethoven, Brahms, Dvořák, Fauré, Mozart, and Shostakovich to round out the festival highlights.

Based at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, the festival also includes such annual special events as the Wm. Brian Little Concert, preceded by wine and hors d’oeuvres, in the Channing Sculpture Garden; two concerts preceded by wine receptions at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack; and a benefit concert and dinner at the Atlantic Golf Club. New this season is a wine reception and concert at the Nathaniel Rogers House of the Bridgehampton Museum.

As always, the festival’s roster of artists comprises one of the best multi-generational groups of chamber musicians to be found anywhere. Led by flutist and festival founder Marya Martin, this summer’s BCM musicians are Graeme Steele Johnson and Osmo Vänskä, clarinet; Gina Cuffari, bassoon; Steven Banks , saxophone; Benjamin Baker, Joshua Brown , Stella Chen, Johnny Gandelsman, William Hagen , Chad Hoopes, Paul Huang, Ani Kavafian, Erin Keefe, Kristin Lee, David McCarroll, Julian Rhee, and Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin; Ettore Casa, Matthew Lipman, Natalie Loughran, Cynthia Phelps , Masumi Per Rostad, and Cong Wu, viola; James Baik, Carter Brey , Brannon Cho, Joshua McClendon, Tommy Mesa, and Paul Watkins, cello; Nina Bernat and Donald Palma , bass; Jason Vieaux, guitar; Michael Stephen Brown , Aristo Sham, Albert Cano Smit, Gilles Vonsattel, and Shai Wosner, piano; Leon Schelhase, harpsichord; Ian David Rosenbaum , percussion; and Jennifer Johnson Cano, voice.

BCM Festival: Usually comprising around a dozen events over four weeks, the summer festival has developed a loyal core audience among local residents and summer visitors since it began with four artists in two concerts in the intimate setting of the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church. The festival is still based in the graceful 1842 church – which boasts glowing acoustics – and has expanded to include other special event venues, including the Channing Sculpture Garden and Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, and the Madoo Conservatory in Sagaponack.

BCM Records: In 2012, BCM launched its own record label, BCMF Records. Signifying the festival’s commitment to American composers, the label’s first recording was BCMF Premieres, a disc of contemporary American music. The label’s current discography of 12 releases includes music by Bruce Adolphe , Robert Beaser, Leon Kirchner , Howard Shore , Paul Moravec , Kevin Puts, and Elizabeth Brown , as well as Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, and more.

BCM Spring: Convinced that there were music lovers looking for more opportunities to hear excellent chamber music year-round, BCM introduced its Spring series in 2015, and in 2017 expanded it from two concerts to three. BCM Autumn: This three-concert series was launched in the fall of 2021.

Bridgehampton Chamber Music has a wide variety of performance videos and online programs from past seasons posted on its website and YouTube channel.

Internationally acclaimed flutist Marya Martin enjoys a musical career of remarkable breadth and achievement. Gracefully balancing the roles of chamber musician, festival director, soloist, teacher, and supporter of musical institutions, she has performed throughout the world in such halls as London’s Royal Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall, Sydney Opera House, Casals Hall in Tokyo, and other international venues.

A native of New Zealand, Ms. Martin studied at Yale University, and shortly thereafter moved to Paris to study with flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal. After winning top prizes in the Naumburg, Munich International, and Jean-Pierre Rampal International competitions, and the Concert Artists Guild and Young Concert Artists International Auditions—all within a two-year period—she returned to the U.S. and has since appeared as a soloist with major orchestras and at leading festivals and chamber music series throughout the country.

In 2006 she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Auckland, and in 2011 received the Ian Mininberg Distinguished Service Award from Yale University. Committed to expanding the flute repertoire, she has commissioned more than 20 new works. She most recently commissioned eight works for flute and piano comprising Eight Visions, an anthology published by Theodore Presser, and recorded them for the Naxos label. In 2011, Albany Records released Marya Martin Plays Eric Ewazen. Ms. Martin has been a faculty member of the Manhattan School of Music since 1996.

BRIDGEHAMPTON CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026

Saturday, July 18, 2026, 6pm wine reception, 6:30pm concert Madoo Conservancy, Sagaponack

Violinist and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Johnny Gandelsman shares his brilliant artistry in a magical reinterpretation of Bach’s Solo Cello Suites.

Johnny Gandelsman, violin

Tickets: $100

Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 6pm Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church

As we mark 250 years of striving towards a more perfect union, our festival opens with Aaron Copland ’s take on American folk songs, a new work by Steven Banks inspired by Nina Simone, a musical love letter by Michael Stephen Brown , and Antonín Dvořák’s Op. 87 Piano Quartet, written on the cusp of his life-altering journey to the New World.

Aaron Copland Old American Songs for Voice, Flute, Strings, and Piano Steven Banks ‘to be free’ for Voice, Flute, Saxophone, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, and Piano (BCM co-commission, New York premiere) Michael Stephen Brown Pour Angeline for Solo Piano Antonin Dvořák Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 87

Marya Martin, flute; Steven Banks , saxophone; Stella Chen, violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; James Baik, cello; Nina Bernat, bass; Michael Stephen Brown , piano; Jennifer Johnson Cano, mezzo-soprano

Tickets: $85, $60, $50, $35, $10 student ticket

Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 6pm Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church

The youthful vigor of Mendelssohn sets the stage for an evening of joy and exploration. A gorgeous trio by New Zealander Salina Fisher, Still’s tender salutes to motherhood and nature, and Schoenfield’s jazzy trio round out the program.

Felix Mendelssohn Piano Quartet No. 3 in B minor, Op. 3 Salina Fisher Mata-Au for Violin, Viola, and Cello William Grant Still Summerland for Flute and Piano “Mother and Child” from Suite for Violin and Piano Paul Schoenfield Cafe Music for Piano, Violin, and Cello

Marya Martin, flute; Benjamin Baker, David McCarroll, violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; James Baik, cello; Michael Stephen Brown , piano

Tickets: $85, $60, $50, $35, $10 student ticket

Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 6:30pm Atlantic Golf Club

The BCM Board of Directors celebrates 43 years of music-making and friendship at its Annual Benefit. This season, we celebrate beauty and nature with gorgeous works from the Baroque era.

C.P.E. Bach Trio in D minor for Flute, Violin, and Harpsichord, H.569 Jean-Féry Rebel Les Élémens for Flute, Strings, and Continuo Antonio Vivaldi Concerto in A minor for Two Violins, Strings, and Continuo, RV 522

Marya Martin, flute; Benjamin Baker, William Hagen , Ani Kavafian, Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin; Natalie Loughran, viola; Brannon Cho, Joshua McClendon, cello; Donald Palma , bass; Leon Schelhase, harpsichord

Tickets and information: 631-537-6368

Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 6pm Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church

Among the great triumphs of American music is Copland’s inimitable Appalachian Spring. Its sparkling beauty and depth is reflected in Mozart’s iconic Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Arvo Pärt’s gorgeous Spiegel im Spiegel.

W.A. Mozart (arr. Martin) Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Strings, K.525 Arvo Pärt Spiegel im Spiegel for Cello and Piano Aaron Copland Appalachian Spring for 13 Instruments

Marya Martin, flute; Graeme Steele Johnson, clarinet; Gina Cuffari, bassoon; Benjamin Baker, William Hagen , Ani Kavafian, Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin; Ettore Causa, Natalie Loughran, viola; Brannon Cho, Joshua McClendon, cello; Donald Palma , bass; Aristo Sham, piano

Tickets: $85, $60, $50, $35, $10 student ticket

Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 6pm Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church

The stormy longing of Brahms is tamed by the beauty of Gershwin’s Lullaby, Bernstein’s loving reflection on a friend, and the nostalgic playfulness of Kenji Bunch’s Ralph’s Old Records.

Kenji Bunch Ralph’s Old Records for Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Violin/Viola, and Cello George Gershwin Lullaby for String Quartet Leonard Bernstein “For Stephen Sondheim ” from 13 Anniversaries for Solo Piano Johannes Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34

Marya Martin, flute; Osmo Vänskä, clarinet; Erin Keefe, violin; Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu, violin/viola; Natalie Loughran, viola; Brannon Cho, cello; Shai Wosner, piano

Tickets: $85, $60, $50, $35, $10 student ticket

Saturday, August 1, 2026, 6pm wine reception, 6:30pm concert Madoo Conservancy

Madoo Conservancy provides the perfect surroundings for a gorgeous program of music built around the marimba, an instrument whose resonant sound feels

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Bridgehampton-Chamber-Music-Festival-to-Present-13-Concerts-in-43rd-Season-20260511)._