We are happy this summer to sponsor the return to Madison of Boston’s Lydian Quartet. In 1999 they were our guests for a pair of outstanding concerts, working with the soprano Benita Valente. This year they will be involved in two concerts, first their own recital featuring two Third Quartets by composers whose work they have championed for many years, Lee Hyla and John Harbison, with the Mendelssohn Quartet in E flat. Then they will anchor a concert of Baroque Concerti (with some related smaller chamber pieces), including the only one of the Bach Brandenburgs missing, until this season, from the Token Creek Festival repertoire.

We have enjoyed over the years the chance to bring back performers with Midwestern roots. This would include soprano Kendra Colton, on numerous occasions, the percussionist Maya Gunji, and the Lydian’s Dan Stepner. These returns have been rewarding musical occasions, and respond to the festival’s origins, Rose Mary Harbison’s desire to make music on the site of her family farm.