Celebrating 50 Years!
Since 1972, the Sitka Music Festival (formerly Sitka Summer Music Festival) has been Alaska’s premier classical music festival, presenting exquisite music in the pristine setting of Southeast Alaska and throughout the state. The finest musicians from around the world gather in this rarefied paradise for concerts and events that will challenge and excite your senses.
We are pleased to announce our 2021 Festival schedule:
50th Anniversary Opening Concert
Saturday, June 5 at 4:00 p.m.
Harrigan Centennial Hall
Piano Trio No. 1, Sergei Rachmaninoff
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Zuill Bailey, cello
Yuliya Gorenman, piano
Cello Sonata, Sergei Rachmaninoff
Zuill Bailey, cello
Yuliya Gorenman, piano
Following the matinee concert at Harrigan Centennial Hall, join us for a 50th Anniversary Celebration and Open House at Stevenson Hall.
50th Anniversary & Dedication Ceremony at Stevenson Hall
Saturday, June 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Open House, Lawn
This is a free community event, but if you do plan to attend we ask that you please RSVP here.
Sea Mart Family Porch Concert
Free family concert performed from the porch at Stevenson Hall, seating will be on the lawn. After the concert, join us for ice cream bars donated by Sea Mart!
Sunday June 6 at 3:00 p.m.
Lawn seating at Miner Music Center/Stevenson Hall
Post-concert dessert sponsored by Sea Mart
Cello Concerto, Joseph Haydn
Zuill Bailey, cello
A La Oracion del torero, Joaquín Turina
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Concerts from the Porch
Wednesdays @ 7 PM
Live concerts performed from the porch at Stevenson Hall.
7:00pm – June 9, 16 and 23.
Fridays & Saturdays – Formal Evening Concerts
5:30pm and 7:30pm
Harrigan Centennial Hall
June 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26
In an effort to help mitigate concerns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we will be offering two concerts (same program) per evening with limited capacity.
Friday June 11
Solo piano pieces, Manos Hadjidakis
Maria Asteriadou, piano
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano, Fazil Say (b.1970)
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Maria Asteriadou, piano
String Quartet in B minor, Op. 11, Samuel Barber
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Two selections from Five Folksongs in Counterpoint, Florence Price
Shortnin’ Bread
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Saturday June 12
Strum, Jessie Montgomery (b.1981)
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Concerto for Piano and Violin, Op. 21, Ernest Chausson
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Maria Asteriadou, piano
String Quartet in D major, Ernest Chausson
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Maria Asteriadou, piano
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Friday June 18
Cello Concerto, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b.1939)
Zuill Bailey, cello
Susan Reed, piano
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Johannes Brahms
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Zuill Bailey, cello
Yuliya Gorenman, piano
Susan Reed, piano
Saturday June 19 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Inspired by Nature
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Tenebrae, Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960)
Allaqi, Marcus Goddard
Plan and Elevation, Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)
The Ellipse
The Cutting Garden
The Herbaceous Border
The Orangery
The Beech Tree
String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132, Ludwig van Beethoven
III. Molto adagio – Andante
Friday June 25 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Duo for Violin and Cello Maurice Ravel
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Zuill Bailey, cello
Piano Quintet, Op. 67 in F-sharp minor, Amy Beach
Susan Reed, piano
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Saturday June 26 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Ballade No. 4 for Solo Piano, Frédéric Chopin
Yuliya Gorenman, piano
Sextet “Capriccio”, Op. 85, Richard Strauss
Martin Sher, viola
Zuill Bailey, cello
Musicians from the New World Symphony
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Natsuko Takashima, violin
Stephanie Block, viola
Ian Greenberg, cello
Piano Quintet No. 2., Antonín Dvořák
Kurt Nikkanen, violin
Alex Gonzalez, violin
Martin Sher, viola
Zuill Bailey, cello
Yuliya Gorenman, piano
Volunteer!
It takes the support of dedicated volunteers to ensure our summer Festival runs smoothly. From ushering to set-up and clean-up for our special events, we would love your help! You can access the 2021 volunteer sign up sheet by clicking the button below.
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