News & Media
The Strad: Attacca Quartet Review
September 12, 2025
Inspired by the seven movements of Beethoven’s String Quartet no.14, the ever-savvy Attacca Quartet created an unusual preface, with a montage of short works by Caroline Shaw, Paul Wiancko and Radiohead (2 + 2 = 5), with the first movement of Ravel’s classic quartet – all done without breaks to echo the attacca structure of the Beethoven. With three ...
The Strad: Beethoven, Smetana, & Mozart Review
September 12, 2025
As the Bowdoin Festival reached its final days, this upbeat evening seemed an ideal tonic after a month of oppressive heat over much of the region. The array of musicians also underlined one reason why the bucolic Maine destination attracts performers from all over the United States. Here the disparate locales included the Eastman School of Music, the Uni ...
The Strad: Jasper Quartet Review
September 12, 2025
Following a masterclass earlier in the day, the Philadelphia-based Jasper Quartet took the stage during the evening to launch its Bowdoin Festival debut with Britten’s Three Divertimenti. Bringing the composer’s joyous bons mots to life, the group displayed keen attention to colour, line and texture. The foursome continued with an expert traversal of ...
Times Record: Kudos, Brunswick
August 26, 2025
How about getting to witness the talents of young musicians participating in the Bowdoin International Music Festival? We attended several of these free concerts and were simply blown away by the skill of the performers. Just imagine the hours required to reach that level at such a young age. Incidentally, it was a special treat to have several of the musica ...
2025 Season Highlights
August 21, 2025
What a way to open the season! During the first of 10 sold-out concerts, outgoing Festival Board Chair Lorna Brown Flynn acknowledged David Ying and Phillip Ying for ten years of artistic leadership and announced a commissioning fund established in their honor. Then the music commenced: "For the opening night of the Bowdoin International Music Festival, l ...
The Strad: Ying Quartet, Derek Bermel Review
August 15, 2025
For the opening night of the Bowdoin International Music Festival, listeners packed the Studzinski Recital Hall with some 30 extra seats on stage flanking the Ying Quartet, which offered two Schubert gems. For his Quartettsatz, the opening lines were precisely spun, soothing except for the bristling tremolos. Other pluses: lithe tone, and in a space ideal fo ...
Times Record: 5 Ways to Experience the Festival
July 30, 2025
The Bowdoin International Music Festival offers myriad events at no cost. Here are five ways to enjoy the festival for free before it ends.
Festival Brings Prestige and World Class Talent to Campus
July 30, 2025
Go for a stroll across campus anytime between the end of July and early August and you’ll likely hear some rather pleasing background sounds emanating from various college buildings, as chamber musicians from across the globe hone their skills. This is the sound of the Bowdoin International Music Festival, a six-week celebration o ...
Times Record: Renowned violinist to perform
July 16, 2025
Violin soloist Simone Porter will grace the stage at Brunswick’s Crooker Theater with the Bowdoin International Music Festival orchestra on Friday, July 18. Peter Bay will conduct the program, which includes “Poem from Tang” by Zhou Long, feauring Rachel Yi and Claire Arias-Kim on violin, Julian Seney on viola, and Amanda Chi on cello; suite from the b ...
Press Herald: Classical Music Everywhere
May 15, 2025
In a concert hall. At a brewery. During a yoga class. Outside. By candlelight. At a festival. Mainers will be able to hear classical music in all kinds of venues this summer. Here are a few.