Author: Olivia Consterdine

  • 2026 Festival Gallery for Press

    Photos by Timothy Teague

    Download Instructions: click on the desired image, download button on the right.
    Image titles contain all the performer and piece information.

  • Photos: 2026 Ojai Music Festival

    Photos: 2026 Ojai Music Festival

    Concerts & Events

    Photos by Timothy Teague

    Audience, Staff, and Volunteers

    Photos by Eric Anderson

    Photos by Timothy Teague

  • Playlist Embed Test

    TEST 1 –

    Link source: Opened a video (SYRINX) in the Playlist. Clicked share.
    Question: Does the Playlist auto-update with the next stream? Or just stay on SYRINX?
    Results: stays on SYRINX. Dragging to re-order playlist: affects what plays next, still starts on the video that was first when embedded
    Reason: Playlist URL remains the same, but the each video has a unique URL. When viewing a video in a playlist, the URL looks like: video URL + playlist URL. So this URL is unique to SYRINX within the playlist

    TEST 2 –

    Link source: playlist (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLfIG4c7wGmgteSErH5lwpTFUo63L09DH)
    Question: Does the Playlist auto-update with the next stream?
    Results: YES!

    When does it update?
    sorting by: Date Published (oldest) -> i think updates once the stream ends (eg video is aupt-published)

    sorting by: Manual
    Is re-loading the page required? -> YES
    Change takes a few seconds to propagate. Reload the YT playlist page to make sure the order chang stuck. Reload WP page with embed.


    TEST 3 –

    Does the channel live link work??

    https://www.youtube.com/@OjaiFestivals/live

    won’t embed (channel link not a video link)

    IRON JIG LIVESTREAM:

    Question: Is the LS available as a replay with this same embed link?
    Results: YES!

  • 2026 Live Stream Replays

    2026 Live Stream Replays

    Welcome to the 80th Ojai Music Festival, June 11 to 14, 2026, with renowned composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen as Music Director. Rewatch the live stream for six of the more than 20 music events scheduled throughout the beautiful setting of the Ojai Valley. Since 2012, the Ojai Music Festival has expanded its global footprint by building a worldwide audience with free live streams of Libbey Bowl concerts.

    Please note that the Saturday evening concert was only available during the live stream and will not be available to view afterward. Highlights and other full concert replays will be available below on this page and on our YouTube channel, following the Festival.

    The free OJAILIVE streams are made possible through the Jamie Bennett Community Fund, established in memory of Jamie Bennett, former Executive Director.


    For more context, tune into OJAICAST, the Ojai Music Festival Podcast, or check out the Program Book:


    THU June 11, 2026
    8:00PM PST – QUARTET FOR THE END OF TIME

    Geneva Lewis violin | Jay Campbell cello | Conor Hanick piano | Anthony McGill clarinet |
    Attacca Quartet: Amy Schroeder and Domenic Salerni violin | Nathan Schram viola | Andrew Yee cello

    Reena ESMAIL Darshan, III. Charukeshi
    Esa-Pekka SALONEN Drømmelogikk (U.S. Premiere)
    John ADAMS Selections from Visions fugitives (World Premiere)
    song without words
    il testardo

    Esa-Pekka SALONEN Homunculus
    Olivier MESSIAEN Quartet for the End of Time

    FRI June 12, 2026
    10:30AM PST – REFLECTION

    Geneva Lewis violin | Conor Hanick piano | Jay Campbell cello | Andrew Yee cello | Rose Lombardo flute | Todd Moellenberg celesta | Jonathan Hepfer percussion |Hanzhi Wang accordion | Todd Moellenberg harpsichord

    Oliver KNUSSEN Reflection
    Esa-Pekka SALONEN Arabesques for Olly
    Franco DONATONI Ave
    Luciano BERIO Sequenza XIII (Chanson)
    Iannis XENAKIS Komboï

    FRI June 12, 2026
    8:00PM PST – TRANSFIGURED NIGHT

    Anthony McGill clarinet | Jay Campbell cello | Colburn Orchestra
    Mert Yalnız
    conductor
    Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor

    Steven STUCKY Colburn Variations
    Esa-Pekka SALONEN kinema
    Witold LUTOSLAWSKI Grave: Metamorphoses for Cello and Strings
    Arnold SCHOENBERG Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night)

    SAT June 13, 2026
    10:30AM PST – SYRINX

    Rose Lombardo flute | Jay Campbell cello | Conor Hanick piano | Leila Josefowicz violin | John Novacek piano

    Claude DEBUSSY Syrinx
    Kaija SAARIAHO Sept Papillons
    Esa-Pekka SALONEN From Six Preludes
    John ADAMS Road Movies

    SAT June 13, 2026
    8:00PM PST – RELATED ROCKS

    PLEASE NOTE: REPLAY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE

    LA Phil New Music Group
    Geneva Lewis violin
    Aleksandra Melaniuk conductor
    Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor

    Gabriella SMITH Anthozoa
    Esa-Pekka SALONEN Lachen verlernt
    Magnus LINDBERG Related Rocks
    Anna THORVALDSDOTTIR
    John ADAMS Chamber Symphony

    SUN June 14, 2026
    10:30AM PST – IRON JIG

    Anthony McGill clarinet | Conor Hanick piano | Hanzhi Wang accordion
    Attacca Quartet: Amy Schroeder and Domenic Salerni violin | Nathan Schram viola | Andrew Yee cello

    Olivier MESSIAEN Abyss of the Birds (from Quartet for the End of Time)
    Jessie MONTGOMERY Peace
    Niccolò CASTIGLIONI Dulce refrigerium: Six Spiritual Songs for Piano

    An Attacca Quartet Playlist:
    Bryce DESSNER Circles
    Michael IPPOLITO Smoke Rings
    RADIOHEAD (arr. Amy Schroeder) Pyramid Song
    Shye Ben TZUR, Jonny GREENWOOD, RAJASTHAN EXPRESS (arr. Nathan Schram) Junun

    John ADAMS Iron Jig (World Premiere)

    SUN June 14, 2026
    5:30PM PST – FINALE

    Geneva Lewis violin | Leila Josefowicz violin | Bridget Esler soprano | Eric Finbarr Carey tenor | Abdiel González baritone | Colburn Orchestra
    Esa-Pekka Salone
    n conductor

    Johann Sebastian BACH Prelude from the Partita No. 3 in E major for solo violin, BWV 1006
    Esa-Pekka SALONEN Fog
    György LIGETI Violin Concerto
    Igor STRAVINSKY Pulcinella (complete ballet)

  • OJAICAST: 2026 Festival Podcast

    OJAICAST: 2026 Festival Podcast

    SEASON 6

    Welcome to OJAICAST, where we pull back the curtain to take a sneak-peek at the upcoming Ojai Music Festival, June 11 to 14, in beautiful Ojai Valley, California. All are welcome here, from newcomers to long-time music fans. In-depth insights and special guests will help introduce this year’s programming and whet your musical appetites for what’s to come with host Christopher Noxon.

    EPISODE 4

    Hanzhi Wang demonstrates the incredible range of her accordion, talks about working with dancers and discusses her own connection to mountains for the Saturday morning meditation performance at the Ojai Meadows Preserve.

    Will Thomas, Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Hanzhi Wang, guest

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music featured –

    1. Sequenza XIII composed by Luciano Berio and performed by Teodoro Anzellotti on the album Berio: Sequenzas

    2. Circles composed by Bryce Dessner, currently unreleased

    3. Mountain Song composed and performed by Hanzhi Wang, currently unreleased

    4. Menuetto composed by Martin Lohse and performed by Hanzhi Wang on the album On the Path to H.C. Andersen

    5. Wind Constellation 1/2/3 composed by Will Thomas and performed by Will Thomas on the album AV

    EPISODE 3

    Pianist Vicki Ray dives into the Saturday evening program discussing works by Magnus Lindberg, Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, Gabriela Smith, and John Adams.

    Will Thomas, Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Vicki Ray, guest

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music featured –

    1. Related Rocks composed by Magnus Lindberg and performed by Emil Holmström, Joonas Ahonen, Jani Niinimäki and Jerry Piipponen on the album Lindberg: Aura, Marea & Related Rocks

    2. Ro composed by Anna Thorvaldsdóttir and performed by Caput Ensemble on the album Aerial

    3. Anthozoa composed by Gabriela Smith and performed by Curtis Institute of Sound, currently unreleased

    4. Chamber Symphony composed by John Adams and performed by Boston Modern Orchestra on the album John Adams: Chamber Symphony

    5. Rundfunk composed by Enno Poppe and performed by Ensemble Mosaik on the album Enno Poppe: Rundfunk für neun Synthesizer

    EPISODE 2

    Join us for fascinating stories and a deep exploration into pieces Jonathan Hepfer will be performing by Globokar, Xenakis and Ferneyhough at this year’s Festival.

    Will Thomas, Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Jonathan Hepfer, guest

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music featured –

    1. Komboi composed by Iannis Xenakis and performed by Red Fish Blue Fish and Steven Schick on the album Xenakis Edition, Vol. 7: Percussion Works

    2. Toucher composed by Vinko Globokar and performed by Matthias Kaul on the album Globokar: Toucher

    3. Bone Alphabet composed by Brian Ferneyhough and performed by Steven Schick on Bone Alphabet EP

    4. Human Sadness performed by Julian Casablancas and the Voidz on the album Tyranny

    EPISODE 1

    Artistic Director, Ara Guzelimian talks about Esa-Pekka Salonen’s return to the festival, Messiaen’s birdsong obsession and celebrating 80 years of the Ojai Music Festival.

    Will Thomas, Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Ara Guzelimian, guest

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music featured –

    1. Lachen Verlernt composed by Esa-Pekka Salonen and performed by Tim Fain on the album Unraveling

    2. FOG composed by Esa-Pekka Salonen and performed by Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, currently unreleased

    3. Quartet for the End of Time composed by Olivier Messiaen and performed by Martin Fröst

    4. Sequenza XIII for Accordion composed by Luciano Berio and performed by Teodoro Anzellotti on the album Berio: Sequenzas

    Also available on SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS and YOUTUBE
    OJAICAST SEASON 5
    OJAICAST SEASON 4
    OJAICAST SEASON 3
    OJAICAST SEASON 2
    OJAICAST SEASON 1



    ABOUT OUR HOST
    Christopher Noxon writes and paints in Ojai, CA. Recent solo exhibitions include “r/evolve” at CGBF in Ojai, “Terra Incognita” at Oxford House Projects in LA and “Greenbelt” in Santa Paula. He’s co-president of the Ojai Studio Artists and author and illustrator of Good Trouble: Lessons from the Civil Rights Playbook, Plus One: A Novel and Rejuvenile: Kickball, Cartoons Cupcakes and the Reinvention of the American Grown-Up. His work has been featured in the New Yorker, the Atlantic and the New York Times Magazine. Find him on IG @noxonart.

    ABOUT OUR PRODUCER
    Will Thomas is a composer, producer and sound artist based in Ojai, CA.  He has composed music for TV, Film scores, movie trailers and has released multiple albums on labels Thrill Jockey, Hydrogen Dukebox and his own Neutral Music imprint.  He is a frequent collaborator including works with Joseph Arthur, Roger Eno, Natalie Walker, and Jason Bentley.  His music has been featured in countless programs on Netflix, HBO, SyFy, NBC, and he won the award for Best Score at the Filmquest Film Festival for The Haunted Swordsman. Most recently, he has experimented with mechanical instrument making and sound art installations.  

  • Gallery: 2025 Ojai Music Festival Moments

    Gallery: 2025 Ojai Music Festival Moments

    Concert Photos

    Photos by Timothy Teague

    Audience & Staff Spotlight

    Photos by Timothy Teague

  • 2025 Festival Gallery

    Photos by Timothy Teague

  • Protected: [TEST]2025 Program Book

    This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below.

  • OJAILIVE: 2025 Libbey Bowl Concert Replays

    OJAILIVE: 2025 Libbey Bowl Concert Replays

    The 79th Ojai Music Festival, June 5 to 8, 2025, welcomes as Music Director acclaimed flutist Claire Chase. Seven of the more than 20 music events scheduled throughout the beautiful setting of the Ojai Valley will be available at no-cost via live streaming.  Since 2012, the Ojai Music Festival has expanded its global footprint building a worldwide audience with free Live Streaming Broadcasts.

    You can watch free live streams of the Libbey Bowl concerts from the Festival’s homepage which will begin Thu, June 5 at 8pm. Full concert replays and highlights will be available on our website and our YouTube channel, following the Festival. Below is the schedule of concerts to be live streamed.


    For more context, tune into the Ojai Music Festival Podcast:


    THU June 5, 2025

    8:00PM

    Claire Chase flute | Joshua Rubin clarinet | Dan Rosenboom trumpet | Mattie Barbier trombone Wu Wei sheng | Susie Ibarra, Ross Karre, Steven Schick, and Wesley Sumpter percussion Alex Peh piano | M.A. Tiesenga electronic hurdy-gurdy

    Marcos BALTER Alone
    Annea LOCKWOOD bayou-borne
    Marcos BALTER Pan

    FRI June 6, 2025

    10:30AM

    Alex Peh harpsichord and keyboard | Cory Smythe and Craig Taborn piano

    Terry RILEY (arr. Alex PEH) Pulsing Lifters (World premiere of trio arrangement)
    Anna THORVALDSDOTTIR Impressions
    John COLTRANE/Cory SMYTHE Countdowns
    Craig TABORN and Cory SMYTHE Duo Improvisation for Ojai

    8:00PM

    Claire Chase flute | JACK Quartet: Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman violin, John Pickford Richards viola, Jay Campbell cello | Leilehua Lanzilotti viola Jay Campbell, Katinka Kleijn, Seth Parker Woods cello | USC Cello Ensemble | Steven Schick conductor

    Leilehua LANZILOTTI ko‘u inoa
    Sofia GUBAIDULINA Mirage: The Dancing Sun
    Julius EASTMAN The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc  
    Terry RILEY from The Holy Liftoff
    A selection of movements adapted for this performance
    Realization by Samuel Clay Birmaher for Density 2036 part xi (2024)

    SAT June 7, 2025

    10:30AM

    Claire Chase flute | JACK Quartet: Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman violin, John Pickford Richards viola, Jay Campbell cello | Katinka Kleijn, Seth Parker Woods cello Cory Smythe piano | Levy Lorenzo electronics

    Marcos BALTER Chambers
    Leilehua LANZILOTTI ahupua‘a
    Anna THORVALDSDOTTIR Ubique (West Coast premiere)
    Part of Density 2036 part x (2023)

    8:00PM

    Wu Wei sheng | JACK Quartet: Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman violin, John Pickford Richards viola, Jay Campbell cello | Festival Artists | Steven Schick conductor

    J.S. BACH Vor deinen Thron, BWV 668 (arr. Samuel Clay BIRMAHER)
    Sofia GUBAIDULINA Meditation on the Bach chorale Vor deinen Thron, BWV 668
    Tania LEÓN Hechizos
    Liza LIM How Forests Think

    SUN June 8, 2025

    10:30AM

    Claire Chase flute | Susie Ibarra and Levy Lorenzo percussion | Wu Wei sheng | Alex Peh piano JACK Quartet: Christopher Otto and Austin Wulliman violin, John Pickford Richards viola, Jay Campbell cello

    Christopher OTTO  Angelorum Psalat, after Rodericus
    Austin WULLIMAN Dave’s Hocket: For Guillaume and Arvo
    Susie IBARRA Nest Box (World premiere)
    Commissioned by Ojai Music Festival and Music Director Claire Chase in honor of Steven Schick’s 70th birthday
    Tania LEÓN Rituál 
    Susie IBARRA Sky Islands (West Coast premiere)

    5:30PM

    Claire Chase flute | Festival Artists | Steven Schick conductor

    Leilehua LANZILOTTI ko‘u inoa
    Pauline OLIVEROS The Witness
    Tania LEÓN Singsong (World premiere of new version for solo flute) (arr. for solo flute by Claire CHASE)
    Terry RILEY Pulsefield

  • OJAICAST: 2025 Festival Podcast

    OJAICAST: 2025 Festival Podcast

    SEASON 5

    Welcome to OJAICAST, where we pull back the curtain to take a sneak-peek at the upcoming Ojai Music Festival, June 5 to 8, in beautiful Ojai Valley, California. All are welcome here, from newcomers to long-time music fans. In-depth insights and special guests will help introduce this year’s programming and whet your musical appetites for what’s to come with host Christopher Noxon.

    EPISODE 4

    In our fourth and final episode of this series leading up to the 2025 Ojai Music Festival, Leilehua Lanzilotti discusses giant reverbs and how Hawaiian culture influences her music. Composer Liza Lim then talks about writing for solo flute and explains How Forests Think.

    Music featured
    1. ko’u inoa composed by Leilehua Lanzilotti and performed by Jordan Bak
    2. ahupua’a: iii. mohala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua composed by Leilehua Lanzilotti and performed by Leilehua Lanzilotti
    3. Sola: II. – composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir and performed by Leilehua Lanzilotti
    4. Hawai’i Aloha Traditional, performed by IZ
    5. Ke Aloha O Ka Haku (Queen’s Prayer) performed by Kamehameha School Children’s Choir
    6. Sola: I. Prologue – I. – composed by Anna Thorvaldsdottir and performed by Leilehua Lanzilotti
    7.  How Forests Think: IV. The Trees composed by Liza Lim and performed by Elision Ensemble
    8. How Forests Think: III. Pollen composed by Liza Lim and performed by Elision Ensemble
    9. Sex Magic: III. Oracles II “Womb Bell” composed by Liza Lim and performed by Claire Chase
    10. Sex Magic: IV. Oracles III “Vermillion – On Rage” composed by Liza Lim and performed by Claire Chase
    11. I find you in all things composed by Jane Sheldon and performed by Jane Sheldon

    Will Thomas, Writer & Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Leilehua Lanzilotti and Liza Lim, Guests

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    EPISODE 3

    This week we look behind the scenes of how the Ojai Music Festival is curated with this year’s Music Director, Claire Chase and the Festival’s Artistic and Executive Director, Ara Guzelimian. Claire tells the story of this year’s Pulitzer Prize winning piece, Sky Islands by Susie Ibarra. She also demonstrates some of her exotic flute sounds and techniques.

    Music featured –
    1. Pan – Death of Pan composed by Marcos Balter and performed by Claire Chase
    2. Pan – Pan’s Flute composed by Marcos Balter and performed by Claire Chase
    3. Pan – Harmony of the Spheres composed by Marcos Balter and performed by Claire Chase
    4. Holy Liftoff composed by Terry Riley and performed by Claire Chase, unreleased
    5. Sex Magic: II. Oracles I “Salutations to the Cowrie Shells composed by Liza Lim, performed by Claire Chase & Senem Pirler
    6. Sky Islands composed by Susie Ibarra and performed by Claire Chase, unreleased
    7. Sunbird composed by Susie Ibarra and performed by Claire Chase, unreleased
    8. On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17, Book 1: I. Our Evenings composed by Leos Janacek and performed by Rudolf Firkusny
    9. Yenna performed by Ali Farka Touré
    10. Horse Sings From Cloud composed and performed by Pauline Oliveros

    Will Thomas, Writer & Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Claire Chase and Ara Guzelimian, Guests

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    EPISODE 2

    In this episode, cellist Jay Campbell discusses the adventurous programming of the Ojai Music Festival (June 5-8) and his recurring role on the Libbey Bowl stage with the JACK Quartet. Composer Annea Lockwood then takes us on an aural journey down rivers and bayous as she shares about her decades-long trials of recording the wind.

    Music featured –
    1. Chambers composed by Marcos Balter and performed by the JACK Quartet, unreleased recording
    2. The Holy Presence of Joan D’Arc composed by Julius Eastman and performed by Seth Parker Woods/Wild Up
    3. Sky Islands composed by Susie Ibarra, unreleased recording
    4. Eastre composed by Autechre
    5. Bayou-Borne composed by Annea Lockwood and performed by Ensemble Maze
    6. Housatonic River Recording by composer Annea Lockwood, unreleased
    7. Wind by composer Cathy Lane
    8. Arctic Winds by composer Maggi Payne

    Will Thomas, Writer & Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Jay Campbell & Annea Lockwood, Guests 

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    EPISODE 1

    We launch season five of OJAICAST as your host Christopher Noxon dives into the lineup of the 2025 Ojai Music Festival (June 5-8).   He joins composer-in-residence Marcos Balter and talks about writing music at a young age, audience participation in his music, and collaborating with this year’s Music Director and longtime friend Claire Chase.

    Music featured –
    1. Processional performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter)
    2. Pan’s Flute performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter)
    3. Harmony of the Spheres performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter)
    4. Alone performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter), unreleased
    5. Chambers performed by Spektral Quartet (composer Marcos Balter)
    6. Sugarcane Fields Forever by Caetano Veloso
    7. Processional performed by Claire Chase (composer Marcos Balter)

    Will Thomas, Writer & Producer
    Christopher Noxon, Host
    Marcos Balter, Guest

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Also available on SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS and YOUTUBE
    OJAICAST SEASON 4
    OJAICAST SEASON 3
    OJAICAST SEASON 2
    OJAICAST SEASON 1



    ABOUT OUR HOST
    Christopher Noxon writes and paints in Ojai, CA. His solo show “Terra Incognita” opens at Oxford House Projects in LA on May 17. He’s on the board of the Ojai Valley Museum and the Ojai Studio Artists. He’s the author and illustrator of Good Trouble: Lessons from the Civil Rights Playbook, Plus One: A Novel and Rejuvenile: Kickball, Cartoons Cupcakes and the Reinvention of the American Grown-Up. His work has been featured in the New Yorker, the Atlantic and the New York Times Magazine.

    ABOUT OUR WRITER & PRODUCER
    Will Thomas is a composer, producer and sound artist based in Ojai, CA.  He has composed music for TV, Film scores, movie trailers and has released multiple albums on labels Thrill Jockey, Hydrogen Dukebox and his own Neutral Music imprint.  He is a frequent collaborator including works with Joseph Arthur, Roger Eno, Natalie Walker, and Jason Bentley.  His music has been featured in countless programs on Netflix, HBO, SyFy, NBC, and he won the award for Best Score at the Filmquest Film Festival for The Haunted Swordsman. Most recently, he has experimented with mechanical instrument making and sound art installations.  

  • OJAILIVE: 2024 Live Stream Replays

    OJAILIVE: 2024 Live Stream Replays

    Since 2012, the Ojai Music Festival has expanded its global footprint building a worldwide audience and has deepened connections with patrons throughout the year with free Live Stream Broadcasts. The 78th Festival, June 6 to 9, continues this offering with acclaimed pianist Mitsuko Uchida as Music Director.

    You can watch the free live streams of the Libbey Bowl concerts from the Festival’s home page which will begin Thu, June 6 at 8pm. The complete evening concerts will only be available at the time of the performance. UPDATE: Full morning concerts and highlights of the evening concerts are now available below and on our YouTube channel (7/1/24). 

    Stay updated on new Festival videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel.


    For more context on this year’s Festival, enjoy these links:


    THU June 6, 2024

    Selections from the 8:00PM OPENING CONCERT
    Libbey Bowl  

    Brentano String Quartet | Lucy Fitz Gibbon soprano 

    HAYDN   String Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3 (“Bird”) 
    SCHOENBERG   Six Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19  
    SCHOENBERG   String Quartet No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 10 

    FRI June 7, 2024

    10:00AM 

    Julie Smith Phillips harp | Jay Campbell cello | Sae Hashimoto percussion | Naomi Shaham double bass | Brentano String Quartet 

    KAIJA SAARIAHO   Fall             
    HELMUT LACHENMANN   Pression 
    SOFIA GUBAIDULINA   Five Etudes         
    BARTÓK   String Quartet No. 5 

    Selections from the 8:00PM concert

    José Maria Blumenschein concertmaster and leader 
    Mahler Chamber Orchestra 

    STRAVINSKY   Fanfare for a New Theater
    WEBERN   Five Movements for Strings, Op. 5
    SCHOENBERG  Chamber Symphony No. 1, Op. 9

    SAT June 8, 2024

    10:00AM

    Ljubinka Kulisic accordion | Rick Stotijn double bass | Musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra 

    JOHN ZORN Road Runner       
    MISSY MAZZOLI   Dark with Excessive Bright 
    JOHN ADAMS   Shaker Loops 


    Selections from the 8:00PM concert

    José Maria Blumenschein concertmaster and leader | Aliisa Neige Barrière conductor | Vicente Alberola clarinet  

    DEBUSSY (arr. Benno SACHS)   Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun 
    KAIJA SAARIAHO Lichtbogen 
    ESA-PEKKA SALONEN   Elegy (from kínēma

    SUN June 9, 2024

    10:00AM

    Alexi Kenney violin | Sae Hashimoto percussion | Ljubinka Kulisic accordion | Brentano String Quartet 

    BIBER  Passacaglia for solo violin 
    KAIJA SAARIAHO  Six Japanese Gardens 
    HAYDN From The Seven Last Words of Christ 
    SOFIA GUBAIDULINA  In Croce 

    Selections from the 5:30PM concert

    José Maria Blumenschein concertmaster and leader |  
    Mahler Chamber Orchestra 

    HAYDN   Symphony No. 46 in B major, Hob. I:46 
    JÖRG WIDMANN Chorale Quartet (Choralquartett), version for chamber orchestra

  • 2024 Festival Gallery

    2024 Festival Gallery

    Concert Photos

    Photos by Timothy Teague

  • Your Favorite 2024 Festival Moments

    Your Favorite 2024 Festival Moments

    Concert Photos

    Photos by Timothy Teague

     
     

    Audience & Staff Spotlight

    Photos by Timothy Teague
  • Season 4 of OJAICAST: 2024 Festival Preview Podcast

    Season 4 of OJAICAST: 2024 Festival Preview Podcast

    SEASON 4

    This season on OJAICAST, we have one very special episode where host Emily Praetorius gets to talk in-depth with Artistic and Executive Director Ara Guzelimian about what magic is in store for us at the 2024 Ojai Music Festival (June 6-9). From Mozart to Schoenberg and Haydn to Gubaidulina, we take a musical tour of the Festival programming with some extra insights into Music Director Mitsuko Uchida’s close connections with the fabulous roster of musicians joining her this year.

    Episode 1

    Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K.453 – 3. Allegretto
    Performed by Mitsuko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate

    Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major, K. 482 – I. Allegro
    Performed by Mitsuko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate

    Sophia Gubaidulina: Five Etudes for Harp, Double Bass and Percussion
    Performed by Christina Rozhkova, Alexander Suslin and Mark Pekarsky

    Schoenberg: 6 Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19 – 6. Sehr langsam
    Performed by Mitsuko Uchida

    Sophia Gubaidulina: In Croce
    Performed by Maria Kliegel and Elsbeth Moser

    Helmut Lachenmann: Interieur
    Performed by Sae Hashimoto

    Kaija Saariaho: Lichtbogen
    Performed by Avanti Chamber Orchestra

    György Kurtág: Kafka Fragments – No. 19
    Performed by Ah Young Hong and Patricia Kopatchinskaja

    John Zorn: Road Runner
    Performed by Frode Haltli

    Haydn: Symphony No. 46 in B Major, Hob.I:46 – 4. Finale. Presto e scherzando
    Performed by the English Chamber Orchestra with Daniel Barenboim

    Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 17 in G major, K.453 – 3. Allegretto
    Performed by Mitsuko Uchida and the English Chamber Orchestra with Jeffrey Tate

    Emily Praetorius, host and producer
    Louis Ng, recording engineer

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Also available on SPOTIFY and APPLE PODCASTS
    OJAICAST SEASON 3
    OJAICAST SEASON 2
    OJAICAST SEASON 1

    ABOUT OUR OJAICAST HOST 
    Emily Praetorius, a former Ojai Music Festival Rothenberg Intern Fellow, is a composer from Ojai, CA. She recently received her DMA from Columbia University in 2023 where she studied composition with Georg Friedrich Haas and George Lewis. Her pieces have been performed by several New York City based ensembles such as Yarn/Wire, Mivos Quartet, TAK and Wet Ink Ensemble. Recent works include a solo viola work on violist Carrie Frey’s 2023 album Seagrass and a current collaboration with violin-viola duo andPlay. After 10 years of living in New York City where she studied, composed and co-owned Kuro Kirin Espresso & Coffee, she returned to her hometown of Ojai to live in the sunshine and go hiking every weekend. 

  • OJAILIVE: 2024 Live Stream Schedule & Replays

    OJAILIVE: 2024 Live Stream Schedule & Replays

    Since 2012, the Ojai Music Festival has expanded its global footprint building a worldwide audience and has deepened connections with patrons throughout the year with free Live Stream Broadcasts. The 78th Festival, June 6 to 9, continues this offering with acclaimed pianist Mitsuko Uchida as Music Director.

    You can watch the free live streams of the Libbey Bowl concerts from the Festival’s home page which will begin Thu, June 6 at 8pm. The complete evening concerts will only be available at the time of the performance. Full morning concerts and highlights of the evening concerts will be available on our website and on our YouTube channel following the Festival. Below is the schedule of concerts to be live streamed.


    For more context on this year’s Festival, enjoy these links:


    THU June 6, 2024

    8:00PM OPENING CONCERT 
    Libbey Bowl  

    Brentano String Quartet | Mitsuko Uchida piano | Lucy Fitz Gibbon soprano 

    HAYDN   String Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3 (“Bird”) 
    SCHOENBERG   Six Little Piano Pieces, Op. 19  
    MOZART   Fantasy in D minor, K. 397 
    SCHOENBERG   String Quartet No. 2 in F-sharp minor, Op. 10 

    FRI June 7, 2024

    10:00AM 

    Julie Smith Phillips harp | Jay Campbell cello | Sae Hashimoto percussion | Naomi Shaham double bass | Brentano String Quartet 

    KAIJA SAARIAHO   Fall             
    HELMUT LACHENMANN   Pression 
    SOFIA GUBAIDULINA   Five Etudes         
    BARTÓK   String Quartet No. 5 

    8:00PM

    Mitsuko Uchida piano and director 
    José Maria Blumenschein concertmaster and leader 
    Mahler Chamber Orchestra 

    STRAVINSKY   Fanfare for a New Theater
    WEBERN   Five Movements for Strings, Op. 5
    SCHOENBERG  Chamber Symphony No. 1, Op. 9
    MOZART   Piano Concerto in E flat, K. 482

    SAT June 8, 2024

    10:00AM

    Ljubinka Kulisic accordion | Rick Stotijn double bass | Musicians of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra 

    JOHN ZORN Road Runner       
    MISSY MAZZOLI   Dark with Excessive Bright 
    JOHN ADAMS   Shaker Loops 


    8:00PM

    This concert will be shown in it’s entirety only the evening it will be performed.

    Mitsuko Uchida piano and director | José Maria Blumenschein concertmaster and leader | Aliisa Neige Barrière conductor | Vicente Alberola clarinet  

    DEBUSSY (arr. Benno SACHS)   Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun 
    KAIJA SAARIAHO Lichtbogen 
    ESA-PEKKA SALONEN   Elegy (from kínēma
    MOZART Piano Concerto in B flat, K. 595 

    SUN June 9, 2024

    10:00AM

    Alexi Kenney violin | Sae Hashimoto percussion | Ljubinka Kulisic accordion | Brentano String Quartet 

    BIBER  Passacaglia for solo violin 
    KAIJA SAARIAHO  Six Japanese Gardens 
    HAYDN From The Seven Last Words of Christ 
    SOFIA GUBAIDULINA  In Croce 

    5:30PM

    Mitsuko Uchida piano and director | José Maria Blumenschein concertmaster and leader |  
    Mahler Chamber Orchestra 

    HAYDN   Symphony No. 46 in B major, Hob. I:46 
    JÖRG WIDMANN Chorale Quartet (Choralquartett), version for chamber orchestra
    MOZART Piano Concerto in G major, K. 453 


    Live Stream FAQ

    Where do I find the Live Stream?
    At concert time, the Live Stream will be available at the top of our Homepage.

    It’s concert time and I still don’t see the Live Stream on the Homepage.
    Sometimes your browser stores an old version of the webpage. To refresh the page, click the “reload browser icon image” button in your browser.

    I see the Live Stream. How do I watch full screen?
    To watch full screen on the Homepage, click the “ button in the bottom right of the player.

    Where can I watch the Live Stream concert after it ends?
    Live Stream videos will be available the following day on the 2024 Live Stream Schedule. Following the Festival, they will remain on our website and our Festival YouTube Channel. However, the evening concerts will only be shown the night of the performance.

  • 2023 Festival Gallery

    2023 Festival Gallery

    Photos by Timothy Teague

    Concert Photos


     

    Offstage Moments

  • Podcast Series: OJAICAST 2023

    Podcast Series: OJAICAST 2023

    SEASON 3

    Welcome to OJAICAST, where we pull back the curtain to take a sneak-peek at the upcoming Ojai Music Festival, June 8 to 11, in beautiful Ojai Valley, California. All are welcome here, from newcomers to long-time music fans. In-depth insights and special guests will help introduce this year’s programming and whet your musical appetites for what’s to come with host Emily Praetorius.

    Episode 1

    Our first episode gives an in-depth look into the 77th Ojai Music Festival (June 8 – 11, 2023), curated by Music Director Rhiannon Giddens. Special guest Artistic and Executive Director Ara Guzelimian will give us some insights into the creation of this year’s festival programming and background on some of pieces being played.

    Ojai Virtual Talks, Rhiannon Giddens
    Uncovering the History of the Banjo with Rhiannon Giddens

    Emily Praetorius, host and producer
    Louis Ng, recording engineer

    OJAICast theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music Excerpts in this Episode:
    I’m on My Way – Rhiannon Giddens 
    Performed by Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi

    Liquid Borders – Gabriela Ortiz
    Performed by red fish blue fish

    Clock Catcher – Flying Lotus
    Performed by Attacca Quartet

    Ghost Opera – Tan Dun
    Performed by Kronos Quartet

    Episode 2

    Our second episode takes a look at the idea of composing across boundaries with 2023 Festival composers Niloufar Nourbakhsh and Carlos Simon.

    Shawn Okpebholo
    Ojai Virtual Talks: Lei Liang and Steve Schick
    Niloufar Nourbakhsh and IFCA
    Carlos Simon, Requiem for the Enslaved
    Bill Traylor 

    Emily Praetorius, host and producer
    Louis Ng, recording engineer

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music Excerpts in this Episode:
    mi sueño: afro-flamenco – Shawn Okpebholo
    Performed by Clare Longendyke

    The Willows are New – Chou Wen-Chung
    Performed by Gloria Cheng

    Veiled – Niloufar Nourbakhsh
    Performed by Amanda Gookin

    Between Worlds – Carlos Simon
    Performed by Julia Mirzoev

    Episode 3

    Our final episode welcomes kamancheh player Niloufar Shiri, pipa player Wu Man, and multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi to the podcast, where they discuss the history of their instruments, how they are played in contemporary music today, and what we can look forward to in this year’s Festival programming.

    Niloufar Shiri Performs at Ojai Meadows Preserve
    Niloufar Shiri
    Pop Up Pipa with Wu Man
    Francesco Turrisi: Playlist & Ojai Talk
    Francesco Turrisi
    Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi Met Museum Concert

    Emily Praetorius, host and producer
    Louis Ng, recording engineer

    OJAICAST theme by Thomas Kotcheff and Louis Weeks

    Music Excerpts in this Episode:
    Niloufar Shiri Improvisation
    Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi Met Museum Concert

    Also available on SPOTIFY and APPLE PODCASTS
    OJAICAST SEASON 2
    OJAICAST SEASON 1

    ABOUT OUR OJAICAST HOST 
    Emily Praetorius, former Ojai Music Festival intern and Rothenberg Intern Fellow, is a current Composition DMA candidate at Columbia University. She previously studied composition and clarinet performance at the University of Redlands (BM) and composition at Manhattan School of Music (MM). She has studied with Kathryn Nevin (clarinet), Susan Botti, Georg Friedrich Haas, George Lewis, and Anthony Suter. Emily is from Ojai, CA and lives in New York City where she is a proud co-owner of Kuro Kirin Espresso & Coffee.

  • Francesco Turrisi: What’s On My Playlist

    Francesco Turrisi: What’s On My Playlist


    Grammy award winning multi-instrumentalist and 2023 Festival artist Francesco Turrisi has been defined a “musical alchemist” and a “musical polyglot” by the press. Enjoy this wide-ranging music playlist curated by Francesco especially made for the Ojai Music Festival!

    PLUS, watch the conversation with Francesco and Festival Artistic Director Ara Guzelimian during our Virtual Ojai Talks in December. Click here >

    Preview Francesco Turrisi’s playlist here, and log into Spotify or Apple Music to hear the full songs

     

    SPOTIFY

    APPLE MUSIC

    Click HERE to listen on Apple Music

     

    1. Slide Dance
    by Tamer Pinarbasi, Ismail Lumanovski, Ara Dinkjian



     

    2. Per ogni sorte di strumenti musicale, Op. 22: Passacaglio
    composed by Biagio Marini, performed by Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI



     

    3. Yo Vivo Enamorado
    by Pedrito Martinez


     

    4. Eliasong
    by Christian Wallumrød Ensemble



     

    5. Pucciniana
    by Guinga



     

    6. Lament for Linus
    by Brad Mehldau



     

    7. Sonata Da Chiesa No. 1 in D Major, Op. 5: I. Grave – Adagio – Grave – Allegro – Adagio
    composed by Arcangelo Corelli, performed by Accademia Bizantina, Ottavio Dantone, and Stefano Montanari



     

    8. Como al Pie del Suplicio Estuve
    by Efrén López



     

    9. La Tarantella dell’Avena
    by Zahr



     

    10. Sareri Hovin Mernem
    by Lena Chamamyan



    BONUS track. Here’s an added piece of music requested by Ojai listeners! Spotify – Passacaglia – song and lyrics by Francesco Turrisi

    ENJOY Francesco’s Mom’s delicious “lean” lasagna recipe! Click here >

  • 2022 Festival Photos

    2022 Festival Photos

    Photos by Timothy Teague

     

    Photos by Joshus S. Rose

     

    Festival Patron Photos by Timothy Teague

  • AMOC @ OJAI Event, LA Dance Project (3/26/22)

  • 2022 Festival Gallery

    Photos by Timothy Teague

     

    Photos by Josh S. Rose

  • Caffeine Scene

    Caffeine Scene

    Where to get a cup of coffee (and more) in Ojai

    By Lisa McKinnon

    First-time visitors to downtown Ojai may be surprised when they go looking for a Starbucks: There isn’t one, thanks to a moratorium on chain businesses with five or more locations. Luckily, Ojai Music Festival audiences in need of a caffeinated pick-me-up between song cycles and dance-theater pieces have plenty of non-corporate options from which to choose.

    Beacon Coffee Co., 211 W. Ojai Ave., no phone, beaconcoffee.com. Daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Beans sourced from small farms in Kenya, Costa Rica and Guatemala are roasted at the café’s sister location in Ventura, then featured in pour overs, flat whites, cappuccinos and seasonal mochas (the festival coincides with Beacon’s annual switch from Ojai Pixie to lavender, the latter from Frog Creek Farm in the Upper Ojai). Magic Hour teas blended in Ojai are available hot or cold. The café’s kitchen is home to SunOven gluten-free vegan bakery, which produces lavender-lemon doughnuts among other treats. Additional baked goods are from Frontside Cafe in Ventura.

    Café Boku, 987 W. Ojai Ave., 805-650-2658, cafeboku.com. Daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    The menu of organic, plant-based food and drinks infused with ingredients from Ojai-based Boku Superfoods includes coffees and espressos made from locally roasted beans from Bonito Coffee Roaster. Enjoy an invigorating Golden Shroom Latte while juicing up your electric car at the café’s bank of chargers.

    Coffee Connection, 311 E. El Roblar Drive, Meiners Oaks, 805-646-7821, coffeeconnectionojai.com. 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

    Look for the orange patio umbrellas to locate this off-the-beaten path local favorite specializing in organic, fair-trade coffee, espresso and loose-leaf teas. Drinks are available hot or cold. You’ll also find Mexican hot chocolate and baked goods.

    Farmer and the Cook, 339 W. El Roblar Drive, Meiners Oaks, 805-640-9608, farmer-and-the-cook.com. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

    The combination organic bakery, market and Mexican café with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options also operates as a community gathering place and espresso bar with drip coffee and specialty drinks. “Beneficial” beverages like the Turmeric Toddy and adaptogenic hot chocolate (made with fungi) are available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Java & Joe, 323 E. Matilija St., Suite 105, 805-646-3138, javajoeojai.com. Daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Nearing its 28th anniversary, the coffeehouse offers an ever-changing lineup of roasts, plus specialty drinks that can be made hot or cold. There’s also a wide selection of whole beans, loose-leaf teas and mugs, carafes and tea pots to take home as gifts.

    Love Social Café, 205 N. Signal St., 805-646-1540, lovesocialcafe.com. Daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Dune Coffee from Santa Barbara is featured, both freshly brewed and on nitro (cold). The café also serves lattes, cappuccinos and the eye-opening Gibraltar/Cortado – a double espresso topped with an equal amount of micro foam. Fresh-squeezed orange juice and matcha lemonade are also available.

    Ojai Coffee Roasting Co., 337 E. Ojai Ave., 805-646-4478, facebook.com/OjaiCoffee. 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

    Owner and roaster Stacey Jones is often behind the counter at the café she opened in 1995 (and which served as a filming location for the 2010 movie “Easy A” starring Emma Stone). Arabica beans are roasted on site in small batches for coffees, espressos, red eyes (espresso plus drip coffee) and more. Check the specials board for lattes ranging from lavender to honey cinnamon.

    Pinyon423 E. Ojai Ave., no phone, pinyonojai.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

    In a nod to the coffee-served-all-day tradition set by the pre-moratorium Jersey Mike’s that previously occupied its address, Pinyon serves French-press hot and cold-brew versions of Los Angeles-based Canyon Coffee from opening till close.

    Sage Cafè, 217 E. Matilija St., 805-646-9204, rainbowbridgeojai.com/sage. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays; 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

    Keeping track of your caffeine intake? A “none-to-high” scale for teas is spelled out on glass display case at this counter-service restaurant that also serves drip coffee, collagen lattes and herbal tonics.

    The Dutchess, 457 E. Ojai Ave., 805-640-7987, thedutchessojai.com. Daily from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

    Named for a vintage bread oven, the Rustic Canyon Family restaurant operates as a coffeehouse from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.-ish, when the focus is on order-at-the-counter service of Bonito Coffee drinks and Magic Hour teas (including a heavy-caffeine black variety dubbed Organic Flower Dutchess) to go with grab-and-go sandwiches, cookies, seasonal-ingredient cakes and artisanal breads by pastry chef/partner Kelsey Brito and bread baker/partner Kate Pepper. The Dutchess switches to sit-down dinner mode at 4:30 p.m., when its California-Burmese menu becomes available.

    Westridge Midtown Market, 131 W. Ojai Ave., 805-646-4082, westridgemarket.com. Daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    Fans of Peet’s Coffee will find the brand served at the service deli.

    Lisa McKinnon is Ventura-based food writer who drank a LOT of coffee and still managed to fall asleep during a special, four-hour performance at the 2002 Ojai Music Festival — but only because audience members were invited to bring pillows and blankets and told get comfortable on the Ojai Art Center floor for the duration. She’s on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok as 805foodie, and blogs at 805foodie.com.

  • 2022 Live Stream Archive

    2022 Live Stream Archive

    The Ojai Music Festival offers
    the world beyond Ojai’s Libbey Bowl
    to experience the music and
    conversations through its
    free live streaming
    of Libbey Bowl concerts.

    For additional information, view the Full 2022 Festival Schedule.

     

    ____

    2022 Stream Archive

    To watch full screen, click in the bottom right of the player.

    Full Concerts

    Opening Night
    THU 6.9 @ 8:00pm

    EASTMAN
    FRI 6.10 @ 11:00am

    the echoing of tenses
    FRI 6.10 @ 5:00pm

    Recital No. 1: MASS
    FRI 6.10 @ 8:00pm

    About Bach
    SAT 6.11 @ 11:00am

    Little Jimmy + Family Dinner
    SAT 6.11 @ 8:00pm

    The Book of Sounds
    SUN 6.12 @ 10:00am

    Festival Finale
    SUN 6.12 @ 5:30pm

    Selected Pieces from Concerts

    Rebonds B by Iannis XENAKIS

    The Rose Once Blown by Kate SOPER
    the power of moss by Celeste ORAM

    Shaker Dance by Matthew AUCOIN

    scars plummet to the corners XIX and XX by Michael HERSCH

    Gay Guerilla by Julius EASTMAN

    Siciliano from Sonata in E major, BWV 1035 by J.S. BACH


    Book of Sounds (Part I) by Hans OTTE

    Stay On It by Julius EASTMAN