Summer 2025

for the original ballet. Other composers featured during the festival include Beethoven, Mozar t and Rossini. “Ahead of Her Time” is a candlelight con- cert featuring the work of Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Jessie Montgomer y, showcasing woman composer s, all anchored by the music of J.S. Bach. Of special note is “Scandinavian Traditions” with Huizinga and gui- tarist William Coulter, a duo known as “Fire & Grace.” “We’re bringing the magic of ancient melodies and harmonies and the idea of myth and legend to Sunset,” Huizinga says. “I’m also bringing in a special guest from Sweden, Olov Johannson, to play the nyckelharpa.” That six- century-old folk instrument produces haunting, evoca- tive music and blends per- fectly with the Scandinavian theme of the program. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the dialogue between the audience and the music at the festival,” Grete Pedersen says. “The space between them is small—physically but meta- phorically as well. The Car- mel Bach Festival is a great event. It’s an expression of how important art is in bringing us together.” The 2025 Carmel Bach Festival takes place July 12-26 at various ven- ues around the Monterey Peninsula. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.bachfestival.org or call 831/624-1521. 184 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 5 Sunset Center’s Auditorium is the jewel in the Bach Festival’s crown. The facility features sublime acoustics that perfectly showcase the opening and closing concerts performed by a full orchestra, led by Principal Conductor Grete Pedersen. Musicians from all over the world convene in Carmel each summer for a month of rehearsals and performances, forging lifelong friendships.