Salt Bay Chamberfest annual festival wrapping up

Wed, 08/15/2018 - 12:00pm

    The exciting world premiere of a piece by the adventurous and inventive composer Steven Mackey will highlight the second and final week of Salt Bay Chamberfest’s 24th annual festival, Troubadours & Tangos.

    Salt Bay Chamberfest will hold its annual Musical Lobster Bake on Thursday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. at Darrows Barn at Round Top Farm. Pairing lobsters with musical treats, this event will include a short performance by the Brentano String Quartet. (Tickets $50; see saltbaychamberfest.org for purchasing info.)

    The never-before-heard string quintet will be performed by the Brentano String Quartet and cellist Wilhelmina Smith at Darrows Barn at Round Top Farm, on Friday evening, Aug. 17 at 7:30. Featuring works by Steven Mackey (Fusion Tune for electric guitar and electric cello; and the world premiere of Joy Rhythm Study for string quintet) and Schubert (String Quintet in C major). The performers are the Brentano String Quartet (Mark Steinberg and Serena Canin, violins; Misha Amory, viola; Nina Lee, cello); Wilhelmina Smith, cello; and Steven Mackey, electric guitar. Tickets: $35 for adults, $5 for students

    Co-commissioned by Salt Bay Chamberfest, the Aspen Music Festival, and Santa Fe Pro Musica, Mackey’s string quintet is entitled Joy Rhythm Study and was written expressly for these five performers. They will join forces again later in the concert for Schubert’s magnificent String Quintet in C major.

     The season rounds out with two more free community events. First, the master class at Schooner Cove on Friday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. will feature Serena Canin, violinist of the Brentano String Quartet, teaching young Maine musicians in a public music lesson.

    The season finale will be the ever-popular Family Concert at Skidompha Public Library, on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 10:30 a.m. Hosted by Mark Mandarano, musicologist, conductor, Salt Bay festival lecturer, and program annotator, this concert introduces and explores music for an audience of all ages. It will also feature the Brentano String Quartet and Wilhelmina Smith.

    For more information, a complete schedule of all events, and to purchase tickets, visit www.saltbaychamberfest.org, email contact@saltbaychamberfest.org, or call 207- 522-3749.