The La Jolla Music Society’s 37th annual SummerFest from July 27–Aug. 26 is an artistic convergence of 75 of the world’s finest instrumentalists performing chamber music in La Jolla.
“Whether you’re fascinated by the rehearsal process, like following emerging young artists as they improve their craft, or want an in-depth look at the works on the program, you won’t want to miss the dozens of free learning and engagement activities planned during LJMS’ SummerFest 2023,” said Stephanie Thompson, the society’s communications and public relations director. “These include open rehearsals, artist lounges, encounters, coaching workshops, and musical preludes, all free and open to the public.”
SummerFest at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., is also maintaining another tradition: the collaboration of the music society and La Jolla’s Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in selecting artwork to represent the event.
The collaboration between LJMS and MCASD for SummerFest began in the early 2000s when LJMS staged performances in the museum’s Sherman Auditorium before the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center was built.
This year, SummerFest will showcase Lee Mullican’s “Electric Night,” a 1967 piece by the late artist that is part of MCASD’s collection. “The painting, an abstract depiction of a night sky, fits the festival’s theme with its ‘whimsical nature, starry feeling [and] otherworldly look,’” noted LJMSartistic director Leah Rosenthal adding, “The artwork also dictates the color palettes, themes, and fonts for the printed materials.”
“Electric Night has abstract, dynamic qualities that invite different ways to approach something as recognizable as the night sky,” concurred Jenna Jacobs, MCASD’s senior director of curatorial affairs.
“Electric Night” became SummerFest’s signature art after an annual process in which the music society’s graphic designer sends theme details to the museum’s curator, who then suggests a selection of seven or eight artworks from the museum collection. A committee of LJMS staff then narrows the options until one piece remains — the chosen work for SummerFest’s posters, brochures, program books, and more.
SummerFest music director and acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan (above) has programmed an exciting festival this year focused on the theme “The Great Unknown.”
“The Great Unknown” theme is described in LJMS’s 2023 brochure as celebrating “the joy of discovery and rediscovery [and] the delight in the unexpected” within the bounds of traditional chamber music.
“Summerfest is one of the major presenters in the United States bringing the best of the best musicians in the world together, and in different combinations, in a four-week festival to create something just for the summer, something very special,” noted Barnatan.
He added there are four concerts a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. “We also have dozens of other lectures and performances in series in which musicians, dancers, and people from different art forms come together and create something. The variety of the music that we play is huge, actually is one of the hallmarks of the festival. It’s really happening.”
Asked if he had a message to deliver about SummerFest, Barnatan replied: “I want people to get surprised and to really try something new. It can be just an incredible experience. We have such a direct connection between the audience and the professionals which is very unique to the art form and to the space. We hope people can come, be a part of it, and feel included.”
“Electric Night” is not currently on view in the MCASD galleries but will be hung in the museum’s Axline Court by July 28 to coincide with SummerFest. The work will be on display past SummerFest’s end date Saturday, Aug. 26, and through MCASD’s annual gala on Saturday, Sept. 9.
All Learning and Engagement events at SummerFest are free but space is limited and advance registration is required for some events. For more information, visit TheConrad.org.
