Ready for the fest of times?
Expanding on a tradition of bringing world-class orchestral, jazz and chamber music to the Oregon Coast, this year’s Siletz Bay Music Festival will add new twists and faces to its virtuoso-packed program, with 11 concerts scheduled over 10 days from August 16 through 25.
Concerts will be staged at four venues in Lincoln City and one in Newport and, in line with the festival’s commitment to community service and involvement, two concerts will be offered free of charge.
New artistic director Mei-Ting Sun, who has participated as the festival’s star pianist since its inception in 2012, has embraced the vision of the festival’s late founder, Yaakov “Yaki” Bergman, in crafting a program that will feature new music from contemporary composers, beloved works with a fresh perspective and deep dives into diverse musical traditions.
Highlights in this year’s program will include the Oregon Coast debut of multiple Grammy-winning Latin jazz superstar Paquito D’Rivera and the much-anticipated performance of Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto” by renowned violinist Asi Matathias.
Making her debut this year, Deanna Tham, associate conductor of the Oregon Symphony, will be leading the Siletz Bay Music Festival Orchestra. The popular Musical Tapas program will again be offered, featuring delectable treats for the ear and palate.
Bergman will be memorialized at two of this year’s festival events: the opening night program featuring a North American premiere of Sun’s transcription of Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 5” to be performed with fellow pianist Michelle Chow, and two Beethoven piano sonatas. Also dedicated to Bergman will be the free concert on August 20 featuring Olivier Messiaen’s “Quartet for the End of Time,” which was written and first performed at a World War II prison camp in Germany, where the composer had been confined.
The other free concert, the August 24 family and children’s concert at Lincoln City’s Regatta Park, will feature “Spirit Chief Names the Animal People,” by Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, a performance that honors Bergman’s interest and respect for Native American history and culture.
Sun, who had a close relationship with the late Bergman, was a natural choice to succeed him in leading the festival.
“Yaki Bergman was the glue holding the festival together,” Sun said. “It’s important to me to preserve Yaki’s vision, and to expand upon it with adventurous musical choices. Under his direction, the festival was a beacon for artists and music lovers, drawing audiences to the beautiful Oregon Coast to hear great music in intimate settings. We plan to continue that tradition and broaden the audience’s musical horizons.”
Incentives are available to encourage people to buy tickets early and often. Discount packages for multiple events are available as well as student ticket pricing for all concerts except Musical Tapas and the Benefit. To view the schedule and to purchase tickets, go to siletzbaymusic.org.