Saks' Lakeside fest keeps moving forward

If it's not broken, don't fix it.

That has been the informal philosophy for the Seattle Chamber Music Society, which launched its summer festival at the Lakeside School in 1982 when artistic director Toby Saks decided it would be fun to play chamber music with some noted musicians who were also her friends.

The festival, which starts up again Tuesday for a month of concerts, took off like a gazelle, and has been sprinting ever since. This year, ticket sales are better than ever. And why? Audiences love the blend of new and familiar artists, new and familiar repertoire and the friendly ambiance that includes picnicking on the Lakeside lawns.

But Saks is not ready to rest on her laurels. Although her festival has recently hired an associate director — highly regarded young violinist James Ehnes, who has been a festival regular since his teens — Saks still feels keenly the responsibility of proving each year that the Society's concerts are even better than last year's.

"I remember years ago when my cello teacher, the great Leonard Rose, came back from a tour. I asked him how it went. He said it went well, 'but I have another performance tomorrow, and the public only remembers your last performance.' He was right. No matter how well one season goes, you're only as popular as your last concert, and if you let the audience down, they'll never forget."

Saks says she is always aware that she has to "finely hone" the festival's formula: the mix of established and beloved longtime artists, and "the little bit of an edge" provided by the arrival of a new artist. It is important, she believes, that the festival not become a repertory company, with the same performers year after year; instead, she rotates musicians and gives them a hiatus, then a return.

Ehnes is a special case. Saks has been hoping for the past few years that Ehnes would take on an official role with the festival, now that she is in her mid-60s and in what she calls "my mentoring phase."

"Jimmy was 18, going on 40, when I met him," she quips.

"He is such a mixture of the up-and-coming and the mature artist. He has proved himself to be one of the finest young rising violinists in the world, but he also is a superior human being: tactful, intelligent, kind, sensitive and very well liked. I think it's good to groom somebody [for festival leadership] who's already from the festival and who loves it deeply."

This doesn't mean Saks is ready to retire; nothing has been formally determined about a changeover.

As Saks says, she is "in good shape, my mind's fine, and so is my energy. But one never knows."

This season, she is excited about several new players, including the young violinist Stefan Jackiw, who made a sensational impression in performances with the Seattle Symphony.

"I love the excitement of young new players with experienced, wise artists," she says.

Also fun: opening up her home every year as a "festival clubhouse," with chef Tom Bennett (now in his eighth year with Saks and the gang) cooking meals for all the musicians and their guests. Saks says she never minds the commotion and looks forward to it every year.

Here's what's on tap for the opening week:

On Tuesday, pianist William Wolfram plays Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" Suite in the free 7 p.m. recital, followed by an 8 p.m. concert of Ravel (a chamber arrangement of "Le Tombeau de Couperin"), Beethoven ("Ghost" Trio) and Shostakovich (Trio in E minor). Performers include Ehnes, Lorna McGhee, Heidi Krutzen, David Harding, Carmit Zori, Robert deMaine, Ronald Thomas and Jeremy Denk.

On Thursday, the recital has Ehnes and deMaine in a Ravel sonata; the concert offers a Schumann trio, an Ives violin sonata (with Scott St. John) and Brahms' String Quintet, Op. 88 (with Cynthia Phelps joining the ensemble).

Next Friday's recital features St. John in works of Hendrik Hofmeyr and Miklós Rózsa. The concert has Beethoven's "Magic Flute" Variations (Anna Polonsky and Thomas), Max Bruch's String Quintet, Ravel's "Rhapsody Espagnole" for Piano, Four Hands (Denk and Polonsky) and a Josef Suk Piano Quintet.

You'll find the festival at the Lakeside School in North Seattle, immediately west of the Northeast 145th exit from I-5. Single tickets are $16-$42 (206-283-8808 or www.seattlechambermusic.org). Don't dally; several concerts are already sold out.

On the strings

Viola fans unite: There's a festival just for you, Sunday through Thursday at the Bastyr University Chapel, 14500 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore. The Max Aronoff Chamber Music Series offers five concerts in its 17th season, featuring some commendable string players of this region (heavy on the violists) in sonatas, quartets, trios and other ensembles.

Among the performers: Joyce Ramee, Scott Ligocki, Betty Agent, Charles Noble, Lisa Bergman, Heather Blackburn, Nancy Roth, Marcia Ott, Sandra Bleiweiss, Richard Treat, Erin Gustafson and Paula Fendler. The concerts are 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

Suggested donation is $10 at the door. For more information, call 253-474-6922 or visit www.viola.com/aronoff.

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com