Archipelago Collective’s Chamber Music Festival takes place Sept. 9-11

Contributed photo

Archipelago Collective shares news about their return to Friday Harbor this September.

This September marks Archipelago Collective’s eighth anniversary performing exhilarating classical chamber music on San Juan Island. Our 2022 festival week will present four concerts in a celebration of chamber music both old and very new.

Our musicians are unparalleled virtuosi who come from across the country, and this year you’ll be able to hear them all around Friday Harbor. Our home venue is Brickworks, where we’ll perform three concerts. We’ll also perform at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art in an exciting program of contemporary chamber music. In addition, the young students at Friday Harbor Elementary school will get to meet our musicians and share in their joy during an educational assembly. As always, our concert venues are small and intimate, bringing the performers and audience together for a truly collaborative experience.

This year’s programming includes traditional favorites like Brahms and Mozart, in addition to works by living composers which we hope provide the audience with new and thought-provoking experiences. In collaboration with the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, we have commissioned composer Ha Yang Kim to write a piece that takes inspiration from the natural environs of the islands, and uses the ferry schedules as a structural backdrop. Our ensembles range from the beloved string quartet, to the less conventional clarinet, bassoon, and piano trio. The stage will be graced as well by harp and piano, in varying combinations.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15-$25 each, or $80 for a weekend pass to all the concerts. Archipelago Collective’s vision is to be an integral part of the rich artistic community on San Juan Island. Our annual chamber music festival provides top-tier professional musicians the time and freedom to explore small ensemble music and delve into the creative process. Throughout the week we perform in various venues at which intimacy and interaction with the audience are paramount. In avoiding the traditional concert hall paradigm, Archipelago Collective presents classical chamber music in a way that invites audience participation and inquiry.

Chamber Music 1
Friday, Sept. 9 — 7 p.m.
Brickworks
150 Nichols St., Friday Harbor
Jennifer Higdon — Dark Wood — bassoon, violin, cello, piano
Henriett Renié — Trio for Harp, Violin, and Cello
Felix Mendelssohn — String Quintet No. 1, Op. 18

New Waves
Saturday, Sept 10 — 2 p.m.
San Juan Islands Museum of Art
540 Spring St., Friday Harbor
​Alex Shapiro — Intermezzo for Bassoon and Harp
Frey Whaley-Cohen — Blu-Tack
Ha Yang Kim — World Premiere

Chamber Music 2
Saturday, Sept.10 — 7 p.m.
Brickworks
150 Nichols St., Friday Harbor
WA Mozart — Kegelstatt Trio, K. 498
Paul Schoenfield — Cafe Music — violin, cello, piano
Johannes Brahms — Clarinet Quintet, Op. 115

Chamber Music 3
Sunday, Sept. 11 — 2 p.m.
Brickworks
150 Nichols St., Friday Harbor
Mikhail Glinka — Trio pathétique — clarinet, bassoon, piano
Murray Schafer — Wild Bird — violin, harp
Antonín Dvorák — Piano Quintet, Op. 81​

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