Music will fill the Cathedral Basilica with beautiful and exciting programs over the last two weekends in June when the St. Augustine Music Festival returns for its 19thseason, offering the largest free classical chamber music concerts to the public. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening.
The first concerts of the St. Augustine Music Festival first took place in the Cathedral Basilica nineteen years ago. Every year since, the co-Founders and co-Artistic Directors, Jorge Peña and Jin Kim- Peña have been the heart and soul and creative force in providing these free concerts. This season will once again provide seven unique concerts for the public, beginning on Juneteenth.
JUNE 19
In 1900, James Weldon Johnson, born in in Jacksonville, FL in 1871, composed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with his brother James. On this historic anniversary, the Ritz Chamber Players invite you to Celebrate Juneteenth, James Weldon Johnson’s Birthday, and the 125th Anniversary of the hymn that has become the official anthem of the National Association of Colored People. The concert on Thursday, June 19, will highlight the exceptional talents of the incredible Soprano Ann Marie McPhail and renowned Haitian American Tenor David Pelino.
JUNE 20
On Friday, June 20, Nigel Armstrong will be the featured violinist in the performance of Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Armstrong, a longtime performer with the SAMF chamber orchestra, is a fan favorite. Felix Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 8 will complete the evening’s program.
JUNE 21
Enjoy a night of virtuosic piano on Saturday, June 21. A highlight of the evening will be the renowned and lengthy Beethoven “Kreutzer” Violin Sonata No 9 featuring Gabriela Peña.
JUNE 22
Sunday, June 22 “Bach to Mozart” premieres the Sinfonietta for String Orchestracomposed by Jacksonville Symphony violinist Piotr Szewczyk. Anton Webern’s Langsamer Satz is on the program in addition to Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto N. 1and Mozart’s Horn Concerto No 4.
JUNE 27
The St. Augustine Invitational Choral Festival, under the direction of Darren Dailey and Festival Conductor Josh Pedde, will offer a recital on Friday, June 27. The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus Touring Choir and Voices of Jacksonville will sing theseven movements of John Rutter’s Magnificat. The second half of the program will highlight the talents of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and Festival Chorus. Pianist Sachiko Frampton will be accompanying the children.
JUNE 28
The concert on Saturday, June 28, is themed “Perfect Balance and Beauty.” It features Dvořák’s String Quintet in G, Op. 77, Puccini’s “Crisantemi” for string quartet, Shaw’s Valencia for string quartet and Saint- Saëns’ Septet for Piano, Trumpet & Strings Op.65 and introduces a rising young local composer, Alex Cooper, and his composition Rhythmic Colors. Cooper’s style integrates traditional tonal harmonies and structural arrangements with a sound that follows a thematic storyline, featuring accessible ideas and emotional language.
JUNE 29
The final concert of the season on Sunday, June 29 is offering Mozart’s Symphony 35and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Mandolin. The program concludes with Piotr Szewczyk’s St. Augustine Suite for Chamber Orchestra on the 10th anniversary of the inaugural premiere and the 460th anniversary of the founding of St. Augustine.
As the concerts are free to the public, financial contributions can be mailed to St.Augustine Music Festival, PO Box 833, St. Augustine, FL 32085-833. Donations can also be made on www.samfestival.org. Reserved seating is available for donations of $350 and prime seating at $1,000.
For more information, visit www.samfestival.org or call 904-484-4960.
