The Hamptons Festival Of Music Brings The Classical Genre To The East End

There’s a new music festival in town — and from September 9 through 11, it will present its inaugural concert series by bringing a full lineup of classical music performances to East End audiences.

Called The Hamptons Festival of Music, or TH·FM for short, the organization was founded by conductor Michael Palmer, who serves as TH·FM’s artistic director. Over the three-day festival, TH·FM will present a trio of concerts at LTV Studios in Wainscott, each one highlighting one of the three major modes of classical music expression — orchestra, chamber music and solo recital.

“We are looking forward to bringing a nationally selected, virtuoso orchestra, who will join us here in early September to give three concerts for the public,” said Palmer in a recent interview.

Palmer comes to his role of artistic director with a deep well of musical experience. A conductor for 60 years, starting as an associate conductor of the Atlanta Symphony at 20 years old, Palmer established the Bellingham Festival of Music in the Pacific Northwest some three decades ago. After he moved to the Hamptons with his partner, he recognized that this area was lacking in classical music opportunities and decided to create his own festival, largely based on his experiences with the Bellingham festival.

Palmer’s ultimate goal with TH·FM is to create a legacy that continues for many years to come and allows classical music to be celebrated on the East End.

The Hamptons Festival of Music is centered around a theme of the “Hero’s Journey,” connecting the literary study to the music being performed. The festival features The New American Sinfonietta, the resident orchestra of TH·FM, which is made up of musicians from across the United States, Canada and abroad, including many who hold principal positions with leading orchestras and ensembles.

“This is an orchestra that has been in existence now since 1991, when we did our first tour of Europe. This is an established orchestra,” explained Palmer, who added that TH·FM is the only festival to feature a full orchestra that is hosted on the East End. “There are 41 players in this orchestra and that allows us to play repertoire that is not normally heard out here.”

Joining the orchestra as the featured soloist for two of the three festival concerts will be the world-renowned classical guitarist Pepe Romero, who has worked with Palmer for more than 50 years, performing at some of the world’s most recognized concert halls.

“I am overcome with joy to participate in the new Festival TH·FM. Michael Palmer and I have journeyed together through many musical adventures,” said Romero in a statement. “They were all magical and wonderful. Michael Palmer is one of the great conductors of all times. I cannot wait to experience the extraordinary music-making that awaits us in the Hamptons.”

The festival gets underway at LTV on Friday, September 9, with the orchestra performing an opening night concert featuring all six of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos under the direction of Palmer.

Day two of the festival, Saturday, September 10, will highlight Romero, who will perform on guitar in a private, intimate recital alongside guest artist soprano Maria Valdes.

The festival finale on Sunday, September 11, will open with Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro Overture,” followed by Romero performing a full symphony orchestra concert of the iconic “Concerto Aranjuez,” composed by his friend and mentor, Joaquín Rodrigo. The 2022 festival closes with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.”

“I am honored that my dear friend, Pepe Romero, will be joining the musicians of The New American Sinfonietta and me to launch TH·FM,” Palmer said. “What better way to demonstrate our commitment to bringing world-class musicians to the Hamptons than to have my longtime friend with me on stage, to bring his warmth and great artistry to the audience and supporters of TH·FM.”

The Hamptons Festival of Music will put the audience and the orchestra in close proximity to one another. Palmer notes that this is by design.

“Having the opportunity as an audience to be up close to the performers is a different experience than what most people experience when they go to an orchestra,” Palmer said. “This will be a new experience for a lot of people.”

One of the core missions for TH·FM is to enhance the quality of community cultural life by supporting the experience of live performances of classical music, thereby cultivating a broader range of audiences and supporters for this art form. With that mission in mind, the Hamptons Festival of Music is collaborating with Daniel’s Music Foundation, a New York City-based nonprofit focused on harnessing the power of music to improve the wellness and rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. For TH·FM’s inaugural year, a portion of all passes and ticket sales will go toward Daniel’s Music Foundation.

Tickets for the Hamptons Festival of Music are $350 for general admission or $500 for premium seating for either the September 9 or September 11 concert, and $2,000 for VIP tickets with admission to all three concerts. All concerts will be held at LTV, 75 Industrial Road, Wainscott. Visit thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com for details.

Friday, September 9, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
TH·FM Opening Concert – The Complete Bach Brandenburg Concertos

The opening night concert will feature all six of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. Each of the concertos will highlight musicians from The New American Sinfoinetta under the direction of Michael Palmer, conductor. The concert includes an intermission.

Saturday, September 10, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
An Evening With Pepe Romero

A private, intimate concert featuring Pepe Romero, world-renowned classical guitarist, in recital with guest artist, Maria Valdes, soprano. This concert is only available to VIP All Festival Pass holders and includes a private reception with Romero and Valdes after the performance.

Sunday, September 11, 4 to 6 p.m.
Festival Finale

The concert program will open with Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro Overture” followed by guitarist Pepe Romero performing Joaquín Rodrigo’s iconic “Concierto Aranjuez.” The festival closes with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.” All concerts will feature The New American Sinfonietta with Michael Palmer, conductor. The concert timing includes intermission. Following the concert will be a special closing reception with Palmer, members of The New American Sinfonietta and guest artists.