8th Annual Chamber Music Festival
Week of February 1, 2025
Our 8th Annual Chamber Music Festival features some of the world’s finest musicians who will inspire you with extraordinary performances set in the relaxed atmosphere of The Ranch. In addition to daily concerts, you can enjoy talks by the musicians, watch rehearsals, and perhaps even encounter “random acts of music” in unexpected places throughout your day.
Featured artists: The King’s Singers, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, violist Aloysia Friedmann, violin/guitar duo ArcoStrum, cellist Amelia Zitoun, violinist Monique Mead, and poet A. Van Jordan.
Artists Bios, Playlist & Events
Event Details:
The highlights of the festival are performances that combine world-class artistry with relaxed discourse. Whether held at La Cocina Que Canta, Bazar del Sol, Oaktree, or the Dining Hall, you will leave feeling invigorated, inspired and possibly transformed.
Sunday, 8 PM, Oaktree
“Opening Night with ArcoStrum”
The festival kicks off with a nature-inspired world tour, featuring both Vivaldi’s and Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons” as well as Chinese music inspired by orchids, young love, and horse racing. Instruments include violin, classical guitar, electric guitar, Erhu (Chinese two-string fiddle) and Dizi (Chinese bamboo flute).
Monday, 8 PM: Concert
“Close Harmony”
The legendary King’s Singers perform a comical and moving program that offers a chronological tour through some of the most famous and joyful music from their 56-year history. The program includes Rossini’s “Overture to Barber of Seville,” Beach Boys’ “Kokomo,” Arlen’s “I’ve got the World on a String,” Billy Joel’s “And so it Goes,” and The Beatles’ “Honey Pie.”
Tuesday 6 AM
“Sunrise Concert” at Cocina que Canta
Hike to the Organic Gardens and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast followed by a short concert with Aloysia Friedmann and Jon Kimura Parker to get your morning started on a high note.
Tuesday 7:45 PM
A Tapestry of Music and Verse
All 12 festival artists join forces with poet A. Van Jordan for a jazz-inspired program of music and verse. Program features Jordan’s poetry paired music by Oscar Peterson, W.G. Still’s “Suite for Violin & Piano,” Grappelli’s “Minor Swing,” Bono’s “M.L.K.” and Loes’ “This Little Light of Mine.”
Wednesday 6 AM
“Morning Tango” with ArcoStrum
Hike to the Organic Gardens and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast followed by a fun tango-infused program to start your day with a smile.
Wednesday 5 PM Oaktree
“The New World”
The King’s Singers present a program that explores the musical links between Iberia and the ‘New World’ of South America, looking at the glorious European Renaissance music introduced by these conquistadors and merchants. It also remembers the musical traditions already in existence in South America, and celebrates how these two different musical heritages fused to form the seeds of a whole new world of South American music. Songs include Ramirez “La peregrinación,” Abreu “Tico-Tico no fubá,” Villa-Lobos “Woodpecker,” Lopez “Remember me,” and Mendoza “Cielito Lindo.”
Thursday, 7:45 PM Oaktree
“Musical Love Triangle”
A romantic program featuring classical music’s most famous love triangle, Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, and Robert Schumann. You’ll hear a Clara Schumann Romance, Johannes Brahms Scherzo from the F.A.E. Sonata, and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet performed by Jon Kimura Parker, Strauss Shi, Monique Mead, Aloysia Friedmann, and Amelia Zitoun.
Friday, 5 PM Oaktree
“Steinway Spectacular”
The festival concludes with “Jackie” Parker in a program that spans the spectrum of pianistic expression from the lyricism of Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, to colorful splashes of Ravel’s “Jeux d’Eau” and ending with the brilliant virtuosity of William Hirtz’s “Fantasy on the Wizard of Oz.”
MINDFUL MUSIC MOMENTS
In addition to evening concerts, Chamber Music Week offers some unique opportunities to engage with music and musicians. Whether you visit an open rehearsal, attend a musical talk, relax in sound healing with Monique, stroll the musical gardens, or experience a “random act of music,” we hope these moments add some magic of your week at the Ranch.
Candlelight Sound Healing with Violin & Cello
Saturday, 8 PM, Oaktree
Melt away your travel stress as violinist Monique Mead and cellist Amelia Zitoun guide you to stillness with enchanting melodies and the healing tones singing bowls, setting the stage for a magical week at The Ranch.
Sound Healing with Violin and Guitar
Monday 3 PM Oaktree
Monique Mead creates a meditative sound journey with singing bowls and violin in collaboration with guitarist TY Zhang. Stretch out and dissolve into blissful sound vibration and melody.
Mindful Music Stroll
Tuesday, 4 PM Gazebo (weather permitting)
Begin at the Gazebo to set the tone for your own mindful stroll during the golden hour. You’ll encounter lighthearted solos and duets by all of our festival musicians in scenic places along your path. The experience concludes with a performance by the King’s Singers at the Bazar del Sol.
OPEN REHEARSAL
Wednesday, 1-2:30 PM Oaktree
Drop in/walk out anytime during this interactive rehearsal where festival musicians practice Schumann and Brahms. You’ll get a chance to ask questions as well.
Musical Talks
Gaze into the inner workings of the music with talks by Monique Mead, ArcoStrum, Aloysia Friedmann, and Jon Kimura Parker.
- Sunday, 2 PM: Music Talk
“Decoding the Concert Program” with Monique Mead and ArcoStrum - Monday, 1 PM Music Talk
“Classical Music Jeopardy” with Monique Mead, Aloysia Friedmann and Amelia Zitoun - Friday 2 PM Music Talk
“Practice Tips from the Pros” with Monique Mead and Jon Kimura Parker