![\"Randall](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sut-l-music-summerfest-0329-01_1b8454.jpg\")
Randall Goosby will perform at the first three concerts in this year\u2019s edition of SummerFest. They will mark his debut at the festival. (Kauko Kikkas)\n\u2018So much fun\u2019<\/p>\n
As La Jolla SummerFest turns 40 this week, Music Director Inon Barnatan is weaving the past, present and future into an intricate musical tapestry. The 2026 edition of Summerfest, billed as \u201cMaking History,\u201d is its most ambitious yet.<\/p>\n
In just the first two of its four weeks, the festival\u2019s all-star lineup will include cellists Alisa Weilerstein and Paul Wiancko, violinist Stefan Jackiw, countertenor Reginald Mobley and, of course, Barnatan on piano.<\/p>\n
It also will feature two lauded violinists: Tessa Lark, a veteran SummerFest performer who excels at both classical and bluegrass music, and Randall Goosby, a rising star new to the event.<\/p>\n
Goosby will play at this week\u2019s first three concerts while Lark\u2019s SummerFest adventure will begin Aug. 7. At Friday\u2019s opening-night concert at La Jolla\u2019s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, ticket-holders are invited to a pre-show reception featuring sparkling wine and appetizers.<\/p>\n
Barnatan has titled this year\u2019s first SummerFest concert \u201cThe Incomplete History of the World in Ten Pieces.\u201d It will feature compositions by Vivaldi, Mozart, Stravinsky and others that span several centuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe theme, \u2018Making History,\u2019 came partly because I wanted to acknowledge the anniversary of the festival and the anniversary of the United States,\u201d Barnatan said recently, from the Seattle Music Festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to also acknowledge that history is not something that is only in the past. We\u2019re still making it. And I wanted to acknowledge both how the history of the world has shaped music and vice versa, but also how we keep on making history every day and at every SummerFest.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Ten Pieces\u2019 seemed like an interesting way to explore, in a celebratory way, how music has shaped history and vice versa. The hardest thing for me was choosing which 10 pieces to represent history.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added with a laugh: \u201cBut I did say it was an incomplete history!\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with Barnatan\u2019s innovative approach to programming, a signature characteristic of SummerFest is the high spirits of the high-quality \u2014 and frequently high-profile \u2014 artists that perform at the four-week sonic extravaganza. SummerFest also offers the public more than 50 free events (for which online RSVPs are required), including prelude concerts, lectures, open rehearsals and more.<\/p>\n
Lark\u2019s first SummerFest was the socially distanced 2020 season. She has returned every year since. It\u2019s not just the excellence of the music, but also the camaraderie, that appeals to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cInon is one in a trillion,\u201d Lark said, also speaking from the Seattle Music Festival, where she and Barnatan were duetting.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s an incredible artist, of course, but a beautiful personality as well. We became close friends very quickly. At a lot of festivals, the energy of the concerts and the audience has a lot to do with the energy of the artistic director. Inon brings together the best musicians in the world, but they\u2019re also some of the best personalities as well. I think Inon highly values the person as well as the musician.\u201d<\/p>\n
Randall Goosby will perform at the first three concerts in this year\u2019s edition of SummerFest. They will mark his debut at the festival. (Kauko Kikkas)
\n\u2018So much fun\u2019<\/p>\n
While Goosby will make his La Jolla SummerFest debut, it\u2019s not his first time in San Diego, where he has visited and performed several times. Last December, he was the guest soloist at the San Diego Symphony\u2019s performance of Tchaikovsky\u2019s Violin Concerto in D Major.<\/p>\n
Goosby was born in San Diego, but his family moved away when he was less than a year old. Although he has no early memory of the city, he feels at home here. An avid golfer, Goosby already has a tee time reserved at Torrey Pines Golf Course before SummerFest begins.<\/p>\n
Because of his busy schedule, Goosby hasn\u2019t performed at many festivals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been eager to come out to SummerFest,\u201d he said, speaking from his home in Dallas. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to collaborations with some fantastic artists who I\u2019ve never had a chance to work with before.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Lark was asked to give advice to SummerFest newcomer Goosby, she doubted he would need any.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve admired Randall\u2019s playing for a long time,\u201d Lark said. \u201cHe\u2019s such a well-seasoned performer that if he just does his thing, he\u2019s going to shine like the star he is.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I would probably say to stay hydrated and come with your notes well-prepared, because there is partying and it\u2019s fun to be part of the socialization. The beautiful thing is, if you\u2019re a great artist and a great person, like I know Randall is, you\u2019ll fit right in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goosby laughed on hearing Lark\u2019s suggestion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will absolutely heed her advice,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not the most hydrated person on any given day. As far as the partying goes, I would imagine that hydration will help with that, too. I\u2019m looking forward to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
A child prodigy who performed with the Jacksonville Symphony when he was nine, Goosby attended the Perlman Music Program for five summers. Violin Itzhak Perlman (whose wife, Toby, founded the camp) was also Goosby\u2019s teacher at New York\u2019s Juilliard School.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was such an inspiring time,\u201d recalled Goosby. \u201cIt was my first exposure to chamber music, playing string quartets and sight-reading with friends. Those are still to this day \u2014 and that was 15 years ago \u2014 some of my most beloved memories.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sense of community, collaboration and friendship became synonymous with music to me. The fun that we had and the love we had for each other wouldn\u2019t have been possible without the violin, without music. At that time in my life, I was a kid, and I was like:\u2019Yeah, this is so much fun! What else would I want to do with my life?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
While Goosby\u2019s parents aren\u2019t professional musicians, they have supported him, his flutist sister and cellist brother in their musical quests. In early June, the family came to Los Angeles for Randall\u2019s performance at the Hollywood Bowl and he visited them in Virginia Beach to celebrate his 30th birthday.<\/p>\n
At SummerFest, in addition to playing pieces of Mozart and Vivaldi the first night, he will perform Transcriptions from \u201cPorgy and Bess,\u201d which he recorded in 2021 on his album, \u201cRoots.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe album was a celebration of music written by or inspired by Black composers, and it would be a gross oversight to have excluded Gershwin,\u201d Goosby said. \u201cHis legacy as a composer wouldn\u2019t exist were it not for the music, traditions and history of Black people, specifically Black Americans.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis music is such a big part of the classical music canon, it\u2019s worth appreciating that this music is not classical in its origins. It\u2019s folk music, and it\u2019s inspired by, in some distant way, the native folk music of the U.S. which is Negro spirituals. It\u2019s a cool bridge between blues, jazz, spirituals and classical music.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"SummerFest](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SUT-L-MUSIC-LJMS-0825-01.jpg\")
SummerFest Music Director Inon Barnatan will once again perform at multiple concerts during the four-week chamber music marathon. (Hayne Palmour IV \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)
\n\u2018Exquisite experience\u2019<\/p>\n
While Goosby and Lark have yet to met, he revealed that they have a \u201cvery, very old friend\u201d in common.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the violin Tessa plays,\u201d Goosby said, referring to the 1600 G.P. Maggini violin he used to play. Lark has had it on loan from Chicago\u2019s Stradivari Society since 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the one of my most cherished instruments that I\u2019ve ever played,\u201d said Goosby, who now plays a 1708 Stradivarius. \u201cI was excited that it went to such great hands as Tessa\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lark\u2019s 2023 album, \u201cThe Stradgrass Sessions,\u201d featured such well-known non-classical musicians as multi-Grammy-winners Jon Batiste on piano and\u00a0 Edgar Meyer on bass. The album includes three of her own compositions and pieces by Meyer, Oscar-winner John Corigliano and Bela Bart\u00f3k.<\/p>\n
With Meyer and cellist Joshua Roman, Lark is a member of an eclectic trio that will release its debut album next year. The recording features string trios written by the prolific and genre-blurring Meyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTessa is one of the most versatile musicians I know,\u201d SummerFest head Barnatan said. \u201cShe can converse in so many different worlds. They\u2019re not separate to her. Contemporary music, old music, bluegrass, or what have you, she understands how it all fits together.\u201d<\/p>\n
A native of central Kentucky, Lark performed in her banjo-playing father\u2019s gospel-bluegrass band as a youth. While she took Suzuki lessons for classical violin, she also studied fiddle books on her own.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 7, Lark\u2019s first night at SummerFest, she will play Ravel\u2019s Tzigane with Barnatan. Later in the week, she\u2019ll perform pieces by Dvo\u0159\u00e1k and Weinberg, composers both influenced by folk music.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat music is designed to quickly resonate with everybody,\u201d Lark said. \u201cFor almost all cultures, rhythm is such an integral part of being a human. We are only alive when we have a beat.<\/p>\n
\u201cPulse and groove are things I like to bring into different types of classical music. The other thing I try to bring to it is the idea of music bringing community together, which is very much what folk music is about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lark is especially excited about being a part of cellist Paul Wiancko\u2019s Aug. 16 Takeover @ The JAI concert, a SummerFest tradition. A highly praised composer and a member of the Kronos Quartet, Wiancko \u2014 who is the composer-in-residence at this year\u2019s SummerFest \u2014 is curating a varied program for the cabaret-like JAI.<\/p>\n
When Barnatan asked Lark to perform at the Takeover as an extra concert this year, she quickly rearranged her schedule to do so. In her touring and as the artistic director of the annual Moab Music Festival in Utah, she has programmed Wiancko\u2019s compositions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re Gemini babies!\u201d Lark said of Wiancko with a chuckle, explaining they share a June birthday. \u201cI have performed with Paul several times. His playing on the cello is extraordinary, but he has so much music to give that his artistry transcends the cello. He\u2019s one of my favorite living composers.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a frequent classical-music festival performer, Lark sees what sets SummerFest apart. She pointed to its partnership with Medici TV, the premier classical music channel, and video recordings by Tristan Cook.<\/p>\n
Such SummerFest events as the Synergy Initiative Series and Takeover @ The JAI bring in artists with different perspectives. Lark also cites the proximity of the SummerFest staff at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center as a plus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that creates a strong sense of community \u2014 that the administrative folks and those who are making it happen behind the scenes are also in the building as the artists are rehearsing,\u201d\u00a0she said. \u201cSummerFest has a lot of social gatherings, too, which \u2014 for me\u00a0 \u2014 nourishes the artists holistically.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so impressed by the excitement and passion from the patrons and supporters of Summerfest. It\u2019s at least as strong, if not more vibrant each year. It becomes a more exquisite experience every single summer.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Alisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SUT-L-MUSIC-REVIEW-1001-008_a5c94d.jpg\")
Alisa Weilerstein, a San Diego resident who is one of the world\u2019s most acclaimed cellists, is returning to SummerFest this year. (
\nSummerFest 2026 schedule and ticket information<\/p>\n
Unless otherwise indicated below, all concerts are at 7 p.m. at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall in The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Some events take place in The JAI, the center\u2019s smaller, 144-seat cabaret venue, and one concert will be at the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego. Artists, concerts, dates, prices, and venues are subject to change.<\/p>\n
Friday, July 31, Opening Night: \u201cSynergy Series: The Incomplete History of the World in Ten Pieces.\u201d Music by: Von Bingen, Morley, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Wagner, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Bernstein, and Heidrich. Featuring: Inon Barnatan, Sterling Elliott, Karen Gomyo, Randall Goosby, Stefan Jackiw, Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, George Li, Reginald Mobley, Blake Pouliot, Masumi Rostad, Alisa Weilerstein, and narrator Fred Child. Sold out\u2014waitlist available.<\/p>\n
Saturday, Aug. 1,\u00a0\u201cVienna 1900\u201d:\u00a0 Johann Strauss\u2019 Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 434 (arranged by Schoenberg); Strauss\u2019 Violin Sonata, Op. 18; Berg\u2019s Sieben Fr\u00fche Lieder (Seven Early Songs); and Schoenberg\u2019s Verkl\u00e4rte Nacht (Transfigured Night). Featuring: Inon Barnatan, Sterling Elliott, Karen Gomyo, Randall Goosby, Stefan Jackiw, Yoonah Kim, George Li, Rose Lombardo, Blake Pouliot, Masumi Rostad, and Alisa Weilerstein. $75-$115.<\/p>\n
Sunday, Aug. 2, \u201cWhat If?\u201d: Lily Boulanger\u2019s 2 Pieces for Violin and Piano; Ullmann\u2019s String Quartet No. 3, Op. 46; Gershwin\u2019s Transcriptions from Porgy and Bess (arranged by Heifetz); and Pergolesi\u2019s Stabat Mater. Featuring: Inon Barnatan, Timothy Cobb, Sterling Elliott, Karen Gomyo, Randall Goosby, Stefan Jackiw, George Li, Reginald Mobley, Blake Pouliot, Masumi Rostad, Ruben Valenzuela, and Alisa Weilerstein. 3 p.m. $70-$100.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Aug. 5, \u201cMidweek Masterworks: Reshaping the Past\u201d: Stravinsky\u2019s Suite Italienne and Schubert\u2019s Octet in F Major, D. 803. Featuring Timothy Cobb, Stefan Dohr, Sterling Elliott, Karen Gomyo, Eleni Katz, Radu R\u0103\u021boi, Ricardo Morales, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Andrew Wan, and Alisa Weilerstein. $40-$92.<\/p>\n
![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SUT-L-MUSIC-LOMBARDO.jpg\")
San Diego Symphony principal flute Rose Lombardo is also an avid surfer. is also a veteran SummerFest performer who returns this year. (K.C. Alfred \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Friday, Aug. 7,\u00a0\u201cEastern Visions\u201d: Debussy\u2019s Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp; Harrison\u2019s Varied Trio; Ravel\u2019s Tzigane; Cage\u2019s Selected Sonatas for Prepared Piano; and Rimsky-Korsakov\u2019s Selections from Scheherazade (arr. by Iain Farrington). Featuring: Efe Baltacigil, Inon Barnatan, Stefan Dohr, Sam Hager, Erin Keefe, Graeme Steele Johnson, Tessa Lark, Matthew Lipman, Rose Lombardo, Pedja Mu\u017eijevi\u0107, Julie Smith Phillips, Blake Pouliot, Steven Schick, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, and Andrew Wan. $70-$100.<\/p>\n
Saturday, Aug. 8, \u201cRoots\u201d: Taj\u010devi\u0107\u2019s Seven Balkan Dances; Dvo\u0159\u00e1k\u2019s Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor \u201cDumky;\u201d Weinberg\u2019s Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes, Op. 47; and Bart\u00f3k\u2019s Divertimento for String Orchestra. Featuring: Efe Baltacigil, Sterling Elliott, Zolt\u00e1n Fej\u00e9rv\u00e1ri, Sam Hager, Kathryn Hatmaker, Erin Keefe, Tessa Lark, Matthew Lipman, Anthony Manzo, Pedja Mu\u017eijevi\u0107, Blake Pouliot, Wesley Precourt, Radu R\u0103\u021boi, Milena Pajaro-vande Stadt, Andrew Wan, and Cherry Yeung. $75-$115.<\/p>\n
Sunday, Aug. 9, \u201cLost and Found\u201d: J.S. Bach\u2019s Chaconne in D Minor, BWV 1178 and Passacaglia in C Minor, BWV 582; Chopin\u2019s Waltz \u201cFound in New York;\u201d Vaughan Williams\u2019 Piano Quintet in C Minor; Mozart\u2019s Horn Concerto No. 1 in D Major, K. 412\/514 (completed by Robert Levin); and Loeffler\u2019s Octet. Featuring: Efe Baltacigil, Stefan Dohr, Sterling Elliott, Graeme Steele Johnson, Erin Keefe, Henry Kramer, Matthew Lipman, Anthony Manzo, Julie Smith Phillips, Blake Pouliot, Radu R\u0103\u021boi, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Osmo V\u00e4nsk\u00e4, and Andrew Wan. 3 p.m. $40-$92.<\/p>\n
![\"Cellist](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sut-l-paul-wiancko.jpg\")
Kronos Quartet cellist Paul Wiancko, who grew up in Orange County, is the composer-in-residence at this year\u2019s SummerFest.. (La Jolla Music Society)<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Aug. 12, \u201cMidweek Masterworks: American Legacy\u201d: Prokofiev\u2019s String Quartet No. 1, Op. 50; Poulenc\u2019s Flute Sonata, FP 164; Shorter\u2019s Terra Incognita (Commissioned by La Jolla Music Society); and Copland\u2019s Appalachian Spring. Featuring: Rebecca Albers, Efe Baltacigil, Mark Dover, Monica Ellis, Zolt\u00e1n Fej\u00e9rv\u00e1ri, Emi Ferguson, Brandon Patrick George, Mekhi Gladden, Henry Kramer, Ayane Kozasa, Tessa Lark, Anthony Manzo, Kevin Newton, Blake Pouliot, Arnaud Sussman, and Paul Wiancko. $40-$92.<\/p>\n
Thursday, Aug. 13, Jazz @ The JAI: Sullivan Fortner Trio, 5:30 and\u00a0 8 p.m., The JAI. $75.<\/p>\n
Friday, Aug. 14, \u201cOut of the Shadows\u201d: Debussy\u2019s En Blanc et Noir for Two Pianos; Bridge\u2019s Lament for Two Violas; Poulenc\u2019s Sextet, FP 100; and Korngold\u2019s Suite for Left Hand and Strings, Op. 23. Featuring: Rebecca Albers, Inon Barnatan, Mark Dover, Monica Ellis, Zolt\u00e1n Fej\u00e9rv\u00e1ri, Brandon Patrick George, Mekhi Gladden, Henry Kramer, Ayane Kozasa, Tessa Lark, Kevin Newton, Arnaud Sussmann, and Paul Wiancko. $40-$100.<\/p>\n
Saturday, Aug. 15, \u201cThe Complete Brandenburgs (Part I)\u201d: J.S. Bach\u2019s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV 1051; Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048; Paul Wiancko\u2019s Vox Petra; and J.S. Bach\u2019s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050. Featuring: Rebecca Albers, Doug Balliett, David Belkovski, Emi Ferguson, Coleman Itzkoff, Ela Kod\u017eas, Ayane Kozasa, Daniel McCarthy, Aisslinn Nosky, Edson Scheid, and Paul Wiancko. $75-$115.<\/p>\n
Sunday, Aug. 16, \u201cThe Complete Brandenburgs (Part II)\u201d: J.S. Bach\u2019s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046; Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047; Shawn Okpebholo\u2019s Selections from Rise; Taylor\u2019s \u201cI Wish I Knew How It Feels to Be Free\u201d (arr. Dover); and J.S. Bach\u2019s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049. Featuring: Doug Balliett, David Belkovski, Mark Dover, Monica Ellis, Emi Ferguson, Mekhi Gladden, Brandon Patrick George, Coleman Itzkoff, Ela Kod\u017eas, Daniel McCarthy, Kevin Newton, Aisslinn Nosky, Brandon Ridenour, Edson Scheid, Sarah Skuster, and Kaylet Torrez. 3 p.m. $40-$115.<\/p>\n
Sunday, Aug. 16, Takeover @ The JAI, with Paul Wiancko: Paul Wiancko\u2019s Cities of Air; Ang\u00e9lica Negr\u00f3n\u2019s Marejada; Salina Fisher\u2019s Mata Au; Messiaen\u2019s Louange \u00e0 l\u2019\u00c9ternit\u00e9 de J\u00e9sus; and Wiancko\u2019s Tiny Doors to Big Worlds. Featuring: Inon Barnatan, Emi Ferguson, Tessa Lark, Coleman Itzkoff, Ayane Kozasa, and Paul Wiancko. $58-$68.<\/p>\n
![\"Violinist](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/sut-l-music-summerfest-0329-01_742c35.jpg\")
Violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious, a Massachusetts native, will perform multiple times at this year\u2019s SummerFest. (ELD Photography)<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Aug. 19, \u201cMidweek Masterworks: Remade\/Reborn\u201d: Purcell\u2019s Four Songs (arr. Ad\u00e8s); Ad\u00e8s\u2019 Concerto Conciso; Brahms\u2019 Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34. Featuring: Thomas Ad\u00e8s, Steven Banks, Inon Barnatan, Jennifer Johnson Cano, Jeremy Denk, Mark Dresser, Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Sidney Hopson, Yura Lee, Teng Li, Aaron McCalla, Simone Porter, Brandon Ridenour, Eric Starr, Jonathan Swensen, and John Bruce Yeh. $40-$92.<\/p>\n
Friday, Aug. 21, \u201cSummerFest at 40!\u201d: Lutos\u0142awski\u2019s Paganini Variations; Williams\u2019 Quartet La Jolla; a new work by Steven Banks, Tchaikovsky\u2019s Souvenir de Florence. Featuring: Steven Banks, Inon Barnatan, Benjamin Beilman, Jay Campbell, Jennifer Johnson Cano, Jeremy Denk, Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, Teng Li, Cho-Liang Lin, Nina Lee, Yura Lee, Rose Lombardo, Paul Neubauer, Julie Smith Phillips, Simone Porter, Jonathan Swensen, and John Bruce Yeh. $65-$99.<\/p>\n
Saturday, Aug. 22, SummerFest 40th Anniversary Gala: Featuring a performance by Inon Barnatan and select SummerFest artists, with a champagne reception seated dinner. 5:30 p.m. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla. $1,500.<\/p>\n
![\"Pianist](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Jeremy-Denk.jpg\")
Pianist Jeremy Denk will perform at this year\u2019s SummerFest. (La Jolla Music Society)<\/p>\n
Sunday, Aug. 23, \u201cOld Country, New Age\u201d: Vaughan Williams\u2019 On Wenlock Edge; Elgar\u2019s Piano Quintet in A Minor, Op. 84; and Walton\u2019s Fa\u00e7ade. Featuring: Thomas Ad\u00e8s, Steven Banks, Benjamin Beilman, Jay Campbell, Jeremy Denk, James Ehnes, Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Sidney Hopson, Nina Lee, Teng Li, Rose Lombardo, Brandon Ridenour, Jonathan Swensen, Robin Tritschler, Stephen Waarts, and John Bruce Yeh. 3 p.m. $75-$115.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Aug. 26, \u201cMidweek Masterworks: Schubertiade\u201d: Schubert\u2019s An die Musik, D.547; Ganymed, D.544; Die Forelle, D.550; Fantasy in F Minor, D.940; Die Sterne, D.939; Du bist die Ruh, D.776; Erlk\u00f6nig, D.328; String Quartet in C Minor, D.703; and Rondo in A Major for Violin and Strings, D.438. Featuring: Ani Aznavoorian, Inon Barnatan, Benjamin Beilman, Jonathan Biss, Owen Dalby, James Ehnes, Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Hsin-Yun Huang, Nina Lee, Robin Tritschler, Jonathan Vinocour, and Stephen Waarts. $70-$100.<\/p>\n
![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SUT-L-MUSIC-THILE.jpg\")
San Diego native Chris Thile will perform at SummerFest with an all-star band led by pianist Brad Mehldau. (Josh Goleman)<\/p>\n
Thursday, Aug. 27, \u201cSynergy: Brad Mehldau\u2019s Ride into the Sun \u2014 The Music of Elliott Smith\u201d: Featuring: Chris Thile, Blake Mills, Matt Chamberlain & John Davis, with the USC Thornton Chamber Virtuosi, Dan Coleman conductor. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter. $42-$124.<\/p>\n
Friday, Aug. 28, \u201cConversation Across Centuries\u201d: Haydn\u2019s She Never Told Her Love; Vaughan Williams\u2019 Orpheus with His Lute; Quilter\u2019s O Mistress Mine; Rautavaara\u2019s Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer\u2019s Day?; Dale\u2019s Come Away, Death; Beethoven\u2019s Piano Trio No. 5, Op. 70, No. 1 \u201cGhost;\u201d Halvorsen\u2019s Sarabande con variazione on a Theme by Handel; and Vaughan Williams\u2019 Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis. Featuring: Ani Aznavoorian, Inon Barnatan, Benjamin Beilman, Jonathan Biss, Owen Dalby, James Ehnes, Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Sam Hager, Kathryn Hatmaker, Hsin-Yun Huang, Nina Lee, Anthony Manzo, Simone Porter, Wesley Precourt, Jonathan Swensen, Jeff Thayer, Robin Tritschler, Jonathan Vinocour, Stephen Waarts, and Cherry Yeung. $40-$99.<\/p>\n
Saturday, Aug. 29,\u201cFinale: The Rule of Three\u201d: David Serkin Ludwig\u2019s Rule of Three; Mozart\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 7 for Three Pianos, K. 242; Dvor\u00e1k\u2019s Terzetto; and Mustonen\u2019s Triple Concerto for Three Violins and Chamber Orchestra. Featuring: Ani Aznavoorian, Inon Barnatan, Jonathan Biss, Claire Brazeau, Owen Dalby, James Ehnes, Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Kathryn Hatmaker, Sidney Hopson, Hsin-Yun Huang, Nina Lee, Anthony Manzo, Simone Porter, Wesley Precourt, Sarah Skuster, Jonathan Swensen, Jonathan Vinocour, Stephen Waarts, and Cherry Yeung. $90-$145.<\/p>\n
La Jolla Music Society\u2019s SummerFest 2026<\/p>\n
When: Friday, July 31 to Saturday, Aug. 29<\/p>\n
Where: All but two concerts will take place at The Baker-Baum Concert Hall and The JAI at Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla<\/p>\n
Tickets: SummerFest subscriptions and single tickets are available. A complete subscription for all 17 concerts in The Baker-Baum Concert Hall ranges from $1,387 to $1,675, depending on seat location. Concerts in The JAI are added onto packages. Summerfest Flex packages are also available.<\/p>\n
Phone:\u00a0858-459-3728<\/p>\n