Beautiful chamber music composed by some of classical music history’s greats and played by a roster of period-instrument specialists is what’s in store for audiences at this year’s Whidbey Island Music Festival.
This is the sixth season for the festival, which kicks off today and runs for two weeks. This annual event takes place at intimate venues on Whidbey Island. This year’s program includes works by Bach, Handel and Buxtehude.
The musical festival welcomes Northwest and national artists, including Oregon Symphony members Vicki Boeckman, Tekla Cunningham and Greg Ewer; Adam Lamotte of Portland Baroque; Meg Brennand of the Onyx Trio; Seattle Baroque Orchestra musicians Byron Schenkman and Ingrid Matthews; and Clara Rottsolk and Margriet Tindemans of the Medieval Women’s Choir.
The programs for weeks one and two follows:
Program I: Two performances: 7:30 p.m. July 29 at St. Augustine’s in-the-woods Episcopal Church, 5217 S Honeymoon Bay Road, Freeland, and 3 p.m.July 31 at Greenbank Farm, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank.
J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerti Nos. 4 and 6 and Telemann “Recorder Suite in A Minor.” The fourth Brandenburg concerto showcases the virtuosity of the solo violin and recorders, while the sixth Brandenburg leaves out violins entirely.
Program II: 7:30 p.m. July 30 at St. Augustine’s in-the-woods Episcopal Church. “Handel in Italy with Ensemble Electra”: This ensemble is made up of three of the Northwest’s early music virtuosos and takes audiences on a musical journey to 18th-century London, where visiting Italian virtuosi stole the scene to create a dynamic musical atmosphere. Hear chamber music by Corelli, Handel and Barsanti.
Program III: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at St. Augustine’s in-the-woods and 3 p.m. Aug. 7 at Greenbank Farm:
“I would walk 500 miles,” J.S. Bach’s Journey to Lubeck.
Hear the music of Buxtehude, which so transfixed J.S. Bach that he walked 500 miles, risking his job in Arnstadt to meet the great master and hear his music in person, according to press material.
Program IV: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at St. Augustine’s in-the-woods: Music for Buxtehude’s “Abendmusiken,” one of the earliest non-liturgical concert series.
Whidbey Island Music Festival tickets are $20 general, $18 for seniors and $15 for students. Children admitted free with adult. Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com or call 800-838-3006 or for more information go to www.whidbeyislandmusicfestival.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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