RENOWNED ARTISTS ON TAP FOR OJAI MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Byline: Patricia Hesselbach Special to the Daily News

The hills will come to life with the sound of music this weekend in Ojai.

Since 1947, Libbey Bowl has set the scene for unparalleled performances featuring world-renowned musicians. Amid tall trees and warm June breezes, visitors to the annual three-day Ojai Music Festival savor traditional chamber music and a respectable sampling of new music, jazz and the music of many nations.

Over the years, many impressive musical directors have made their way from their respective musical meccas to the small, rural community. Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Michael Tilson Thomas and Kent Nagano, among other greats, have overseen world-class soloists and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the festival. This year, pianist Emanuel Ax brings his unique vision to the event.

``You can't go along all your life as a museum curator,'' Ax, a proponent of 20th-century music, once commented. ``I understand pianists who play only the standard repertoire - but I've needed something different, the sense of discovery.''

Cho-Liang Lin, a Chinese-American violinist and Sony Classical recording artist, echoed the sentiments of Ax, a longtime friend and fellow Sony Classical artist.

``I find it great that Ojai has a reputation for trying out new and unusual works,'' Lin said.

A returning guest artist, Lin made his debut at the Ojai Music Festival in 1992.

``We've collaborated for a long time,'' said Lin of his relationship with festival musicians. ``Everybody's like old friends. It's very nice.''

The violinist remembered the relaxed and intimate atmosphere surrounding the festival, which he said is reminiscent of an elegant, outdoor musical party. He added that Ojai is still one of his favorite spots to play and to visit.

``I arrived at Libbey Bowl at 9:30 in the morning to warm up for an 11 a.m. performance,'' Lin recalled. ``There was fog hovering over everything. I had never played in the fog before. I warmed up to the rhythm of neighboring tennis players. Soon the fog lifted, the bowl was filled with people and I had only the birds to compete with.''

Lin admitted to fighting off a strong desire to trade in his violin for a tennis racket that morning.

Lin is excited particularly about a John Harbison composition, which he will play at the Friday night opening concert. ``November 19, 1828'' incorporates fragments of themes by Franz Schubert. Lin visualizes the work as ``Schubert viewed through a kaleidoscope.''

Los Angeles Philharmonic principal percussionist Raynor Carroll returns to the festival this year as a soloist. Carroll is only one of many faces familiar to eventgoers.

Clarinetist and RCA recording artist Richard Stoltzman will bring his son to the festival. Peter Stoltzman, a talented jazz pianist, accompanies his father in a Sunday morning performance of works by Monk, Ellington and Douglas.

Jacqueline Saunders, Ojai Music Festival executive director, sees the event as the long-term cultivation of a relationship. Each year, Libbey Bowl is a reunion site for musicians and fans alike.

``Many relationships with musicians and hosts have endured over decades,'' Saunders said.

A number of Los Angeles Philharmonic players and guest soloists are housed by local music lovers. ``Residents plan for the festival all year,'' she added. ``There is a real sense of welcoming the musicians to the community.''

Other notable musicians performing at the festival include cellist David Finckel, conductor Daniel Harding, soprano Elissa Johnston, pianist Yoko Nozaki, violist and conductor Heiichiro Ohyama, and percussionist Steven Schick.

Compositions by Copland, Harbison, Debussy, Schumann, Reich, Schnittke and Rameau will be performed over the course of the three days.

Tickets are still available for individual festival concerts at Libbey Bowl.

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Photo

Photo: (color) The group World Kulintang will appear at the Ojai Music Festival.