Fans of baroque and classical music can listen to their heart’s delight, as the Whidbey Island Music Festival plans to offer a potpourri of happenings in anticipation of the main event this summer.
Irish legend has it that St. Patrick evoked a prayer of protection, known as the Deer’s Cry, as he traveled through territory controlled by a Druid chieftain. Instead of the saint and his men, only a great stag followed by a herd of red deer was visible to the Druids.
Fittingly, musicians are bringing this tale of the Deer’s Cry to St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Attendees can expect to hear Irish traditional music with Henry Lebedinsky on guitar and piano, Brandon Vance on fiddle and Natalie Ingrisano as soprano. Jigs, reels and storytelling combine to commemorate the Celtic saint. The Freeland family-friendly concert takes place 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 at the church, 5217 S. Honeymoon Bay Road.
Celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach’s 339th birthday with the screening of “Living Bach,” a documentary about how the famous German composer has influenced musicians around the globe, who are preparing to meet at the world’s largest Bach Festival in Leipzig, Germany, where the composer lived. Whidbey Islanders have two chances to see the film on March 21 – a 1:30 p.m. matinee at Oak Harbor Cinemas and an evening showing at 7:30 p.m. at The Clyde Theatre in Langley.
Being that his work is of the late Baroque period, the Whidbey Island Music Festival often plays Bach’s music, and even plans to do so this summer.
The movie will be followed by an announcement about the upcoming Whidbey Island Music Festival. Tekla Cunningham, the festival’s director and one of its performers, said “Living Bach” is a hopeful and inspiring message of unity and the power of music, which is relevant in today’s often divided society.
Another event this spring, on April 14, explores Nordic chamber music, including the works of Johan Helmich Roman, who is known as the Swedish Handel.
“If you know the Hallelujah chorus, then you’re going to love Roman’s music,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham herself plays baroque violin in this concert, which is titled “Northern Exposure.” She is joined by her student Tess Roberts on viola da gamba, Rylie Patching on baroque bassoon and Lebedinsky on harpsichord.
On May 5, pianist Lebedinsky and soprano Michele Kennedy will present a celebration of Black composers Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Harry T. Burleigh and Moses Hogan in “Lift Every Voice.”
“One of the great things about music is the effect that it has,” Cunningham said. “If people are looking for a break from stress or technology, it’s a great experience to take a pause from the demands of day-to-day life and it’s a wonderful way to refresh, recharge the spirit and be in a community of other music lovers.”
Tickets and more info are available at whidbeyislandmusicfestival.org.
Among the many interesting venues the Whidbey Island Music Festival used last year was a barn, where people participated in a yoga class with accompaniment by baroque harp. Pop-up concerts were also held on the historic Coupeville Wharf.
Tekla Cunningham, Henry Lebedinsky, Danielle Reutter-Harrah, Maxine Eilander and Stephen Stubbs perform during a concert at St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods. (Photo provided)
Danielle Reutter-Harrah, soprano, sings during a previous Whidbey Island Music Festival concert. (Photo provided)
