Classical Music Festivals in California

If you’re a fan of classical music, you won’t want to miss these festivals happening in California this year. From the Los Angeles Philharmonic to the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, there’s something for everyone.

Introduction

The popularity of classical music festivals has grown in recent years, as has the number of festivals devoted to this genre. California is home to a number of these festivals, which offer opportunities to see and hear some of the world’s most talented musicians.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of classical music or you’re looking to experience this type of music for the first time, attending one of these festivals is sure to be a memorable experience. Here are just a few of the classical music festivals that are taking place in California in the coming months:

-The Carmel Bach Festival (July 16-29) is one of the oldest and most well-known classical music festivals in the state. This festival features a wide variety of musical performances, as well as educational programs and events.

-The Ojai Music Festival (June 8-10) is another long-running California festival that attracts some of the world’s top performers. This year’s event will feature a mix of orchestral, chamber, and solo performances.

-For something a little different, check out The Classical Spectacular (September 29-30), which features a unique blend of film screenings and live musical performances.

The Ojai Music Festival

The Ojai Music Festival is a classical music festival that takes place every summer in the town of Ojai, California. Founded in 1947 by composer and conductor Viktor Bunin, the festival became one of the most important classical music events in the United States, attracting some of the most famous musicians in the world. In recent years, the festival has expanded its programming to include contemporary music, and it now features a wide range of musical styles.

The Cabrillo Music Festival

The Cabrillo Music Festival is a classical music festival held annually in Santa Cruz, California. The festival was founded in 1963 by composer and conductor John Adams. It is the longest running contemporary music festival in the United States. The festival presents over two weeks of concerts and educational programs featuring contemporary music by living composers. The Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra is made up of professional musicians from around the world who come together to perform at the festival each year.

The Laguna Beach Music Festival

The Laguna Beach Music Festival is one of the premier classical music festivals in California. The festival takes place every year in Laguna Beach, and features some of the world’s most talented classical musicians. This year’s festival will take place from June 9-11, and will feature performances by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Emerson String Quartet, and many other renowned musicians. If you’re a fan of classical music, this is one festival you won’t want to miss!

The Monterey Jazz Festival

The Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the longest running and most prestigious jazz festivals in the world. It was founded in 1958 by jazz great Jimmy Lyons and is held every year on the third weekend in September. The festival takes place on 20+ stages spread throughout the pretty seaside town of Monterey, California.

Over 500 artists perform at the festival each year, making it one of the largest gathering of jazz musicians in the world. In addition to world-renowned jazz performers, the festival also features up-and-coming artists, clinics, workshops, discussions, and more. If you love jazz, this is a can’t-miss event!

The Santa Barbara Music Festival

The Santa Barbara Music Festival is a classical music festival that takes place every winter in Santa Barbara, California. It was founded in 1998 by conductor Heiichiro Ohyama and is now one of the largest classical music festivals in the state. The festival features over 50 concerts and events, including orchestra, chamber, and solo performances, as well as lectures and masterclasses.

The Berkeley Early Music Festival

The Berkeley Early Music Festival is a week-long festival of concerts and events celebrating early music. The festival features some of the world’s leading performers of early music, as well as lectures, films, and special events.

The Carmel Bach Festival

The Carmel Bach Festival is a classical music festival held annually in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The festival was founded in 1935 by molecular biologist Otto Ferdinand Koren and composer Sidney Griller, and is now one of the oldest and most prestigious classical music festivals in the United States. The festival presents a variety of concerts, lectures, and educational programs throughout its two-week run, with a focus on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other Baroque composers. The festival also commissions new works from contemporary composers, which have been performed by the likes of Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Andras Schiff, and Emmanuel Ax.

The San Francisco Early Music Society’s Baroque Music Festival

The San Francisco Early Music Society’s Baroque Music Festival is one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in California. The festival features some of the world’s most renowned classical musicians performing a wide variety of music from the Baroque period. The festival takes place in San Francisco each year and attracts classical music lovers from all over the world.

The San Francisco Bach Society’s Bach Festival

The San Francisco Bach Society’s annual Bach Festival is one of the most prominent classical music festivals in California. The festival features performances of Bach’s music by some of the world’s leading orchestras and soloists, as well as talks and other events. The festival takes place over two weeks in March, with concerts taking place at various venues around San Francisco.