PMF Connects

Public: April 30, 2020
Massenet (arr. Delsart): Méditation from "Thäis"

Ryan Louie, cello / PMF 2011, 13, 14

My name is Ryan Louie, I’m a cellist and an alumni of the Pacific Music Festival. I had the pleasure of attending 3 different summers – 2011, 13, and 14 – and they were some of the best music-making moments of my playing career. Currently I’m the cellist of the Griffon String Quartet.

One of my most memorable moments from PMF was from 2011. It was right after the Fukushima nuclear power plant incident and the tsunami disaster. We played a benefit concert under Fabio Luisi and we played Brahms 2nd Symphony, and it was some of the most moving and profound music making I’ve ever been a part of: people from all over the world coming together to support Japan and to support all the victims of this sad event.

It really saddens me that this upcoming PMF season is cancelled. I know that COVID-19 has struck all communities and groups throughout the world. But it’s important for us to stay mentally and physically healthy, to stay positive, and try to get as much sun as we can.

I know PMF will bounce back. I know musicians and the world will bounce back eventually. I think we should just stay positive, keep connecting via the internet, and keep music alive.