PORT TOWNSEND — The Olympic Music Festival’s upcoming performances will contrast the works of Beethoven and Schubert and explore pieces by Ravel, Bach and Brahms that skirt the limits of instrumentation.
World-renowned musicians, including pianist Robert McDonald and violinist Ray Chen, will perform “Beyond Virtuosity” at 2 p.m. Saturday and “Between Worlds” at 2 p.m. Sunday at Wheeler Theater in Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way.
Tickets cost $33 or $40 for adults and can be purchased at 360-385-9699 or www.olympicmusicfestival.org. Children ages 7 to 12 are admitted free but must reserve seats.
“Each year, the Olympic Music Festival has given me the musical inspiration and sustenance for the coming season concerts,” Chen said in a news release. “Performing 100 concerts a year across the world, it all starts here.”
The festival’s artistic director, Julio Elizalde, praised the lineup of musicians and said they are “revered in their circles both as chamber musicians and soloists.”
Chen will be joined by violinist/violist Yura Lee, cellist Jakob Koranyi and pianists Elizalde and Robert McDonald.
“While our audiences have seen the power of someone like Ray Chen in the past, they shouldn’t miss Yura Lee and Jakob Koranyi, two of the most skilled string players on the planet,” Elizalde said.
“In the case of Robert McDonald, who happens to be the last piano teacher I had, he is considered one of the most important pianists and a pedagogue in the piano world.”
