“Superb Salt Bay festival brims with star power”
Dear Friends,
We have been on a musical adventure together for 30 years!
As we celebrate this milestone, I feel so grateful for all that SBC has brought to our lives. As well as a creative journey, it has been a unique opportunity to learn from and form meaningful connections with all of you. Together we have created and sustained a place for music-making of the highest level; a place that grasps and connects with other cultures through the arts; and a place where musical innovation is valued and supported.
The 2024 festival theme, Music in Blue, intermingles historical and contemporary works that exemplify the influence of blues and jazz on classical chamber music, together with music inspired by blue landscapes in nature and the visual arts. Our season will begin with pianist/composer Conrad Tao performing a world premiere of his new (and SBC-co-commissioned) work inspired by the 100th anniversary of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. In a season that showcases virtuoso pianists, pianist Anne-Marie McDermott will be joined by bass phenomenon Xavier Foley in a program pairing his own works with Schubert’s Trout quintet; and pianist Shai Wosner will perform Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G minor as well as Vijay Iyer’s new piano concerto, accompanied by the East Coast Chamber Orchestra! Returning musicians include violinists Jennifer Koh and Jennifer Frautschi and clarinetist Derek Bermel; and we are excited to welcome newcomers including violinist Geneva Lewis, trombonist Angel Subero, and percussionist Javier Diaz.
Against a backdrop of vibrant natural reflections of color—deep blue seas, sapphire rivers, and indigo skies—the coast of Maine is an ideal setting for audiences to engage in a musical exploration of all things Blue, and to ring in our thirtieth anniversary.
See you this summer!
Wilhelmina Smith
Founder, Artistic & Executive Director