Working with composers is central to what we do at Sunset ChamberFest, and 2021 has been no different. We are thrilled to have been the first to present to the world, new versions of two pieces by Reena Esmail at this year’s Festival: Zeher (originally written for Brooklyn Rider) and the popular work Nadiya for flute and cello, both of which the composer revised after working with Sunset’s artists.

Sunset ChamberFest is excited to welcome violist Jonah Sirota to the Festival for the first time. His enterprising debut album Strong Sad was released in 2018 by National Sawdust Tracks. It features new elegies for viola by Jonah, Paola Prestini, Nico Muhly, Valgeir Sigurðsson, Robert Sirota, A.J. McCaffrey, Rodney Lister, and a new work from the improv duo Mondegreen (Jonah Sirota and Kurt Knecht). His musical life is eclectic – appearing as a soloist, composer, chamber musician, session musician and teacher. Jonah tells us about playing from memory as a member of the now disbanded Chiara Quartet, pursuing new musical paths in LA, and upcoming projects. Hear him in Sunset’s Finale, which broadcasts on July 18 at 15:00 PST and will available to watch afterwards.

A native of Columbus, OH, Louis Ng has been Sunset’s resident audio engineer and videographer since the start of the Festival 8 years ago. His musical path began as a violinist and pianist (he began college as a Piano Major at CIM). Always intrigued by technology, he stumbled into an audio recording elective as a student, which combined his love for music and tech. His mentors showed him the intriguing career paths possible to him as a recording engineer, and he has been focusing on recording ever since. Louis tells us about his distinctive recording aesthetic and the exciting projects he is working on.

Sunset ChamberFest is delighted to welcome violinist Geneva Lewis to the Festival. Geneva was born in Auckland, New Zealand but spent her formative years in LA. She is the recipient of a 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant and winner of the 2020 CAG Victor Elmaleh Competition. Hear her on July 12 performing pieces by Harrison Garff and Brett Dean, and on July 18 performing Shostakovich’s Quintet. She tells us about her teachers, the special instrument she performs on at Sunset this year, and upcoming plans.

In 2019, I had the fortune of working with Brett Dean for the first time on his piece Recollections in an ensemble led by the violinist Anthony Marwood, who himself has a long association with the composer. As musical life re-emerges, one of the highlights is continuing on my journey of learning his music and working with the composer in the process.