We’re thrilled to announce the return of Music on the Strait to Field Arts & Events Hall this summer, bringing the finest classical music to the Olympic Peninsula. Last season’s performances were nothing short of spectacular, and we’re excited to share the upcoming lineup! Tickets are still available for both performances at Field Hall; seats start at $5 for youth, $10 for students and $25 for adults.
(Above) Guests gather for the Opening Night of Music on the Strait at Field Hall, August 19, 2023. All photographs in this blog post provided by Field Hall House Photographer Nora Pitaro.
A LOOK BACK AT THE 2023 PERFORMANCES
On August 19, 2023, Music on the Strait presented one of the very first performances at the brand-new Field Arts & Events Hall. The evening featured the celebrated virtuoso pianist Garrick Ohlsson, the only American to have won first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition. Ohlsson’s performance of solo and chamber works by Johannes Brahms was breathtaking.
The night also saw Ohlsson join forces with the renowned Takács Quartet for a rousing rendition of Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet, a piece that won them a Gramophone Award in 2001. Performers from August 19, 2023:
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
James Garlick, violin
Takács Quartet: Edward Dusinberre (violin), Harumi Rhodes (violin), Richard O’Neill (viola), András Fejér (cello)
Additionally, the audience was treated to a new composition by the 2023 composer-in-residence Lembit Beecher, inspired by the transformation of the Elwha River.
The Festival Finale on August 27, 2023, brought the illustrious Jeremy Denk back to the Donna M. Morris Theater. Denk’s masterful interpretations of works by Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms, accompanied by James Garlick (violin), Richard O’Neill (viola), and Ani Aznavoorian (cello), captivated the audience.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2024 MUSIC ON THE STRAIT FESTIVAL
The 2024 Music on the Strait festival kicks off on August 1 with an Opening Night celebration featuring the return of pianist Jeremy Denk, a five-time performer at Music on the Strait. Denk will present a diverse program including Beethoven’s “Ghost” Trio, the rare chamber version of his Fourth Piano Concerto, and Charles Ives’ “Concord” Sonata. He will be accompanied by:
Stefan Jackiw, violin
James Garlick, violin
David Auerbach, viola
Efe Baltacıgil, cello
Steve Schermer, bass
For the 2024 summer finale on August 10, Music on the Strait is thrilled to present pianist Joyce Yang, a silver medalist at the 2005 Van Cliburn Piano Competition. Yang will perform solo Preludes by Rachmaninov and Dvořák’s lively “Dumky” Piano Trio. The finale will also feature the 2024 composer-in-residence Paul Wiancko’s inventive new work “Closed Universe” for solo cello, piano quartet, and glockenspiel. Performers for this event include:
James Garlick, violin
Ayane Kozasa, viola
Paul Wiancko, cello, glockenspiel
Efe Baltacıgil, cello
Music on the Strait will also host two performances at Maier Hall at Peninsula College: August 3rd featuring violinist Stefan Jackiw and August 9th featuring violinist Richard O’Neill. Both Maier Hall shows are SOLD OUT as of July 29th, 2024.
Founded in 2018 by locally-raised musicians James Garlick and Richard O’Neill in partnership with the Port Angeles Symphony, Music on the Strait celebrates the beauty of chamber music in the stunning environment of the Olympic Peninsula and Salish Sea. The festival is dedicated to sharing both the rich traditions and emerging voices of chamber music through community programming and educational outreach.
Field Hall is honored to host incredible shows presented by local arts producers, festivals, and organizations. We are excited to partner once again with Music on the Strait to bring world-class performances to our community. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the very best of Olympic Peninsula classical music.
Tickets for the upcoming performances are available now. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit Field Hall’s ticket page.
