(Photo provided by La Jolla Music Society / The Conrad)

La Jolla Music Society (LJMS) and Summerfest Music Director Inon Barnatan have agreed to a five-year contract that will keep him around until 2025.

“Every SummerFest has felt like both a homecoming and a new beginning,” said Barnatan, a piano soloist who has appeared with BBC Symphony for the BBC Proms, the Los Angeles Philharmonic,  Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and Stockholm Philharmonic, among others, per an official press release. “I’m thrilled to extend my role as Music Director and to keep exploring the music, ideas, and collaborations that make this festival so unique. The trust and enthusiasm of this community and the support from the staff of LJMS mean the world to me, and I’m excited for all that lies ahead!”

Barnatan, who is a recipient of  Avery Fisher Career Grant and Lincoln Center’s Martin E. Segal Award,  has held the position since 2019 and creates theme and programming for the summer festival concerts. He will also oversee the jury for the Summerfest Fellowship Artists, participate in the Summerfest Learning and Engagement events, and perform multiple concerts each summer.

“Inon’s artistic vision has propelled SummerFest to new heights, uniting a vibrant community of world-class musicians, jazz artists, and dancers who are eager to share the stage with him,” said LJMS Artistic Director Leah Rosenthal per an official press statement. “I am delighted to continue this journey together over the next five years, particularly as we look ahead to celebrating our landmark 40th anniversary festival in 2026.”

The 40th anniversary of Summerfest is set to kick off in July 2026.

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