2025 SUMMERFEST
JULY 25–AUGUST 23
Festival Packages Now Available
Inon Barnatan, Music Director
MILESTONES
La Jolla Music Society SummerFest 2025 takes you on a journey through “Milestones”—the pivotal moments that shape a composer’s creative life and the evolution of chamber music itself. Each concert highlights a key turning point or life stage, illuminating the spark of youthful experimentation, the mid-career breakthroughs that redefined boundaries, and the poignant final reflections that cemented legendary legacies. Beyond reflecting on the past, “Milestones” also embraces fresh perspectives and interdisciplinary collaborations that underscore how every era has its own defining achievements. By exploring these transformative milestones—from personal triumphs to monumental shifts in the musical landscape—the festival reveals how each era’s bold leaps and discoveries continue to resonate today.
ALL PERFORMANCES IN THE BAKER-BAUM CONCERT HALL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
OPENING NIGHT: Great Expectations
FRIDAY JULY 25 | 7:30 PM
Join the celebration in the most sought-after concert of the summer! A thrilling kickoff showcasing the bold early steps of master composers, sparking the festival’s journey through chamber music’s most transformative milestones.
MOZART Divertimento in D Major, K.136
RAVEL Ma Mère l’Oye for Piano Four-Hands RACHMANINOFF Valse and Romance for Piano Six-Hands ENESCU String Octet in C Major, Op. 7
Yulianna Avdeeva, Inon Barnatan, Jennifer Frautschi, Clive Greensmith, Njioma Chineyere Grevious, Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, Yura Lee, Matthew Lipman, Nathan Meltzer, Steven Osborne, Jonathan Swensen, Jonathan Vinocour, SummerFest Chamber Orchestra
SYNERGY: The Glass Menagerie
SATURDAY JULY 26 | 7:30 PM
Experience Philip Glass’ mesmerizing études in their entirety as you’ve never heard them before—as ten notable pianists share the stage in a unique and epic evening celebrating the iconic composer.
PHILIP GLASS The Complete Piano Études
Featured pianists include: Timo Andres, Matthew Aucoin, Yulianna Avdeeva, and more.
This performance of Philip Glass: The Complete Études is presented by special arrangement with Pomegranate Arts.
EMERGENCE
SUNDAY JULY 27 | 3 PM
MAHLER Piano Quartet in A Minor
CHOPIN Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2 Two Mazurkas from Op. 7
CLARKE Viola Sonata
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57
Yulianna Avdeeva, Jennifer Frautschi, Clive Greensmith, Njioma Chineyere Grevious, Yura Lee, Matthew Lipman, Nathan Meltzer, Steven Osborne, Juho Pohjonen, Jonathan Swensen, Jonathan Vinocour
MIDWEEK MASTERWORKS: Youthful Passions
WEDNESDAY JULY 30 | 7 PM
BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 1
JÖRG WIDMANN 180 Beats Per Minute
MENDELSSOHN String Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20
Liza Ferschtman, Alan Gilbert, Clive Greensmith, Njioma Chineyere Grevious, Stefan Jackiw, Matthew Lipman, Nathan Meltzer, Juho Pohjonen, Blake Pouliot, Jonathan Swensen, Jonathan Vinocour, Kajsa William-Olsson
Ruth Asawa, Desert Plant (TAM.1460),
Martin
Diego,
Inon Barnatan, SummerFest Music Director
Jonathan Vinocour
NORTHERN LIGHTS
FRIDAY AUGUST 1 | 7:30 PM
NIELSEN String Quintet
OLLI MUSTONEN Nonet No. 2
SIBELIUS String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56
STRUNG TOGETHER
FRIDAY AUGUST 8 | 7:30 PM
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Concerto Grosso
YSAŸE Sonata for Two Violins
DVOŘÁK Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81
Kyle Armbrust, Liza Ferschtman, Alan Gilbert, Clive Greensmith, Stefan Jackiw, Anthony Manzo, Blake Pouliot, Jonathan Swensen, Jonathan Vinocour, Kajsa William-Olsson
PRODIGIES
SATURDAY AUGUST 2 | 7:30 PM
HANDEL Trio Sonata for Oboe, Violin and Continuo in C Minor
MOZART Piano Quartet in G Minor, K.478
KORNGOLD String Sextet in D Major, Op. 10
Kyle Armbrust, Inon Barnatan, Nicholas Daniel, Liza Ferschtman, Alan Gilbert, Clive Greensmith, Stefan Jackiw, Blake Pouliot, Jonathan Swensen, Ruben Valenzuela, Jonathan Vinocour
FOR THE END OF TIME
TUESDAY AUGUST 5 | 7 PM
Renowned conductor Alan Gilbert and legendary soprano Renée Fleming join forces to bring Strauss’ iconic masterpiece the Four Last Songs to life. Messiaen’s haunting Quartet for the End of Time adds a powerful depth, creating a night of gripping, passionate music that is not to be missed!
MESSIAEN Quatuor pour la fin du Temps
STRAUSS Four Last Songs
Renée Fleming, Nicolas Altstaedt, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Inon Barnatan, Alan Gilbert, Ricardo Morales, SummerFest Chamber Orchestra
Nicholas Altstaedt, Kyle Armbrust, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Inon Barnatan, Nicholas Daniel, Vilde Frang, Stefan Jackiw, Teng Li, Anthony Manzo, Stephan Waarts, Alisa Weilerstein
SUMMERFEST GALA
SATURDAY AUGUST 9 | 5 PM
The Jacobs Residence
Gala Chairs
Stacy and Don Rosenberg
HOMAGE
SUNDAY AUGUST 10 | 3 PM
PURCELL Chacony in G Minor (arr. Britten)
BRITTEN String Quartet No. 2 in C Major, Op. 36
TCHAIKOVSKY Souvenir d’un Lieu Cher
ARENSKY String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 35
Nicholas Altstaedt, Inon Barnatan, Sterling Elliot, Vilde Frang, Teng Li, Blake Pouliot, Stephen Waarts, Alisa Weilerstein
MIDWEEK MASTERWORKS: Looking Back, Looking Forward
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13 | 7 PM
BRAHMS Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38
KOECHLIN Quatre Petites Pièces
GLAZUNOV String Quintet in A Major, Op. 39
Nicolas Altstaedt, Inon Barnatan, Stefan Dohr, Sterling Elliott, Vilde Frang, Erin Keefe, Tessa Lark, Teng Li, Alisa Weilerstein
Noah Bendix-Balgley
Renée Fleming
Cécile McLorin Salvant
SYNERGY: Tasting Notes
THURSDAY AUGUST 14 | 7 PM
Special Guest J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, James Beard Awardwinning best-selling author and culinary superstar, combines his passions in a unique event exploring the connections between gastronomy and music, with the help of festival musicians and cooking demonstrations by Kenji and some of San Diego’s finest chefs. Music includes DVOŘÁK Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 87 Inon Barnatan, Sterling Elliott, Tessa Lark, Masumi Per Rostad
SYNERGY SERIES
LOVE SONGS
FRIDAY AUGUST 15 | 7:30 PM
SCHUBERT Auf Der Strom for Tenor, Horn and Piano, D. 943
SCHUMANN Piano Trio No. 3 in G Minor, Op. 110 ARVO PÄRT Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
BRITTEN Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31 Nicholas Altstaedt, Inon Barnatan, Stefan Dohr, Alexi Kenney, Osmo Vänskä, Zachary Wilder, SummerFest Chamber Orchestra
SYNERGY: Book of Ayres
SATURDAY AUGUST 16 | 7:30 PM
Vocal luminary Cécile McLorin Salvant returns to SummerFest with an ensemble of superstar performers to reimagine early music, jazz, and folk in a boundary-blurring exploration. The three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer explores the world of Baroque music and transforms it into something contemporary, exciting, and truly captivating.
SYNERGY SERIES
MIDWEEK MASTERWORKS: Transcendence
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20 | 7 PM
PENDERECKI Clarinet Quartet
SCHUBERT String Quintet in C Major, D. 956
Misha Amory, Benjamin Beilman, Zlatomir Fung, Alexi Kenney, Anthony McGill, Milena Pajaro-Van de Stadt, Andrew Wan, Kyril Zlotnikov
PROFOUND REFLECTIONS
FRIDAY AUGUST 22 | 7:30 PM
RAVEL Introduction and Allegro
SHOSTAKOVICH Viola Sonata, Op. 147
BEETHOVEN String Quartet No. 12, Op. 127
Misha Amory, Inon Barnatan, Benjamin Beilman, Owen Dalby, Zlatomir Fung, Hsin-Yun Huang, Rose Lombardo, Anthony McGill, Milena Pajaro-Van de Stadt, Julie Smith Phillips, Andrew Wan, Kyril Zlotnikov
SUMMERFEST FINALE: Starburst
SATURD AY AUGUST 23 | 7:30 PM
Jessie Montgomery’s vibrant Starburst meets Mendelssohn and Brahms in a grand finale that celebrates the festival’s theme— illuminating past triumphs and future horizons.
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Starburst for String Orchestra
MENDELSSOHN Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra
BRAHMS Serenade in D Major (Reconstructed for Nonet, 1858)
Mark Almond, Misha Amory, Inon Barnatan, Benjamin Beilman, Owen Dalby, Zlatomir Fung, Samuel Hager, Hsin-Yun Huang, Peter Kolkay, Rose Lombardo, Anthony McGill, Jay Shankar, Andrew Wan, Kyril Zlotnikov
Zlatomir Fung
Alisa Weilerstein
Jessie Montgomery
ADD-ON EVENTS @ THE JAI
NEW YORK TAKEOVER @ THE JAI
SUNDAY JULY 27 | 7 PM
Immerse yourself in the vibrant pulse of New York’s contemporary scene as three of its most celebrated composers—Matthew Aucoin, Timo Andres, and Patrick Castillo—bring their boundary-pushing works to The JAI, showcasing the bold creative art born in the city that never sleeps.
TAKEOVER @ THE JAI
Curated by Jessie Montgomery
THURSDAY AUG 7 | 7 PM
Jessie Montgomery, the 2023 Musical America Composer of the Year and our 2025 Composer-in-Residence, is a GRAMMY®-winning composer, violinist, and educator. In her Takeover concert, she curates an evening that offers a glimpse into the reasons behind her rise to prominence as one of the most performed and soughtafter composers of our time.
SYNERGY: DANCE @ THE JAI
SUNDAY AUGUST 17 | 3 PM & 6 PM
This joy-filled collision of music and movement brings the multi-award-winning dancer Caleb Teicher back to The Conrad—this time with Nic Gareiss, one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch,” and festival favorite Tessa Lark on violin. Expect a lively combination of folk, jazz, and swing music alongside percussive dance that celebrates Appalachia and its traditional roots from Ireland and England.
SYNERGY SERIES
SUMMERFEST 2025 ARTIST ROSTER
VIOLIN
Benjamin Beilman
Noah Bendix-Balgley
Owen Dalby*
Liza Ferschtman
Vilde Frang*
Jennifer Frautschi
Alan Gilbert
Njioma Chineyere Grevious
Stefan Jackiw
Erin Keefe
Alexi Kenney
Tessa Lark
Yura Lee
Nathan Meltzer*
Blake Pouliot
Stephen Waarts*
Andrew Wan
VIOLA
Misha Amory*
Kyle Armbrust*
Hsin-Yun Huang
Teng Li
Matthew Lipman
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt
Masumi Per Rostad
Jonathan Vinocour
CELLO
Nicolas Altstaedt*
Sterling Elliott
Zlatomir Fung*
Clive Greensmith
Jonathan Swensen
Alisa Weilerstein
Kajsa William-Olsson
Kyril Zlotnikov
BASS
Samuel Hager
CLARINET
Anthony McGill
Ricardo Morales
Jay Shankar
OBOE
Nicholas Daniel
BASSOON
Peter Kolkay*
HORN
Stefan Dohr
Kaylet Torrez
Mark Almond
VOICE
Renée Fleming*, soprano
Zachary Wilder*, tenor
HARP
Julie Smith Phillips
CONDUCTOR
Alan Gilbert
Osmo Vänskä
COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE
Jessie Montgomery*
VISITING COMPOSER
Timo Andres
Matthew Aucoin*
Patrick Castillo*
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Nic Gareiss*, dancer
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt*, chef/host
Caleb Teicher, dancer
ENSEMBLE
Book of Ayres
Cécile McLorin Salvant, voice
Jeremy Kurtz-Harris
Anthony Manzo
PIANO
Timo Andres
Matt Aucoin*
Yulianna Avdeeva*
Inon Barnatan
Melonie Grinnell*
Conor Hanick*
Ying Li
Steven Osborne*
Juho Pohjonen
HARPSICHORD
Ruben Valenzuela
FLUTE
Rose Lombardo
Sullivan Fortner, piano/harpsichord/ keyboards
Emi Ferguson, flute
Dušan Balarin*, theorbo/lute
Yasushi Nakamura, bass/violone
Keita Ogawa*, percussion
FILMMAKER-IN-RESIDENCE
Tristan Cook
* SummerFest debut
Hsin-Yun Huang
SUMMERFEST 2025
Festival Founding Sponsors: Brenda Baker and Steve Baum
SummerFest concerts sell out every year!
Order a subscription to lock in the best seats at the best price.
SummerFest Premier Package
See all 16 concerts in The Baker-Baum Concert Hall, including the coveted Opening Night and Finale. Keep your same seats year after year.
Section A: $1,465 | Section B: $1,268
All-inclusive prices! No added fees at check-out.
NEW! SummerFest Flex Package
The ultimate in flexibility!
Choose any six SummerFest concerts in either The Baker-Baum Concert or The JAI and save 10% on tickets. Packages are available in all price zones. Your price will vary based on your selection. Order online or by calling the Box Office.
It’s easy to order!
Online: You can renew your current subscription or order a new one at TheConrad.org
Phone / Window: For personal assistance with your subscription, call 858.459.3728 or come to the Box Office Window at 7600 Fay Avenue, Monday to Friday from 10 AM–6 PM.
Mail: Returning subscribers paying by check can return the enclosed renewal invoice.
Alan Gilbert
SYNERGY INITIATIVE
The Synergy Initiative is a series co-produced by Inon Barnatan and Clara Wu Tsai which invites top creators of music, dance, spoken word, and visual arts to collaborate across their different art forms to produce performances that inspire audiences in unexpected and powerful ways.
MIDWEEK
Wednesdays Following Midweek
Join your fellow concertgoers for a celebratory toast in the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd following each Wednesday concert. Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine at these intermission-less concerts.