Bowling in Ojai 3

Highlights from Saturday, June 11: Kaija Saariaho Chamber Music II –  “Nymphea” played by the Calder Quartet, and the interplay between baritone Davone Tines and bass flutist Camilla Hoitenga in “Sombre.” The Mystic Hour II – Roomful of Teeth and ICE created some amazing sounds in Pulitzer prize-winner Caroline Shaw’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” inspired by Claudia Rankin’s poem of the same name. The bass flute became a recurring motif for the festival and Claire Chase’s dramatic and percussive playing of Du Yun’s “An Empty Garlic” was thrilling. Twilight Concert – Classical Indian music was given it’s well deserved due by Aruna Sairam and Ensemble, in an excursion through some of the many forms it takes, with an emphasis on Southern Indian styles. A beautiful, uplifting and informative 100 minutes of bliss. Ojai Late Night Concert – Multi instrumentalist and composer Tyshawn Sorey’s “Josephine Baker: A Portrait” was slightly problematic and too long, but nonetheless hearing soprano Julia Bullock’s lovely voice and Sorey’s interesting re-imaginings of some of Baker’s signature songs provided numerous satisfying moments. Ms. Bullock obviously was highly invested in portraying more of Josephine Baker than the highly paid exotic Parisian dancehall star.