Passing the Baton: Ara Guzelimian's Final Year as the Ojai Music Festival's Artistic Director episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 2, 2026 · 52 MIN

Passing the Baton: Ara Guzelimian's Final Year as the Ojai Music Festival's Artistic Director

from Ojai: Talk of the Town · host Bret Bradigan

After helping shape one of the most adventurous music festivals in the world, Ara Guzelimian is taking his final bow in Ojai.In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with the artistic and executive director of the Ojai Music Festival to talk about his final season at the helm — what goes into building a festival like this, why risk and curiosity matter in music, and what makes Ojai such a singular place for artists and audiences alike. We talked about favorite festival moments, why the Festival matters and why it matters more and more in a complicated world. And, of course, the momentous return this year of the inimitable Esa Pekka Salonen as Music Director after 21 years.We also look ahead to what’s next, as conductor Teddy Abrams prepares to take over in 2027. We did not talk about Great Lakes steelhead fishing, Australian wildfires or the casting choices in Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value."It’s a conversation about legacy, transition, and the strange, enduring magic of making music under the oaks at Libbey Bowl. Learn more about the festival at ... https://www.ojaifestival.org/

After helping shape one of the most adventurous music festivals in the world, Ara Guzelimian is taking his final bow in Ojai.In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with the artistic and executive director of the Ojai Music Festival to talk about his final season at the helm — what goes into building a festival like this, why risk and curiosity matter in music, and what makes Ojai such a singular place for artists and audiences alike. We talked about favorite festival moments, why the Festival matters and why it matters more and more in a complicated world. And, of course, the momentous return this year of the inimitable Esa Pekka Salonen as Music Director after 21 years.We also look ahead to what’s next, as conductor Teddy Abrams prepares to take over in 2027. We did not talk about Great Lakes steelhead fishing, Australian wildfires or the casting choices in Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value."It’s a conversation about legacy, transition, and the strange, enduring magic of making music under the oaks at Libbey Bowl. Learn more about the festival at ... https://www.ojaifestival.org/

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Passing the Baton: Ara Guzelimian's Final Year as the Ojai Music Festival's Artistic Director

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This episode was published on April 2, 2026.

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After helping shape one of the most adventurous music festivals in the world, Ara Guzelimian is taking his final bow in Ojai.In this episode of Ojai Talk of the Town, we sit down with the artistic and executive director of the Ojai Music Festival to...

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