Documentary celebrates 50 years of Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival

Jul. 21—Marc Neikrug didn't know what to expect when he was approached by director David Aubrey about an upcoming film project. Aubrey is at the helm of the documentary, "Vibrations in the Air: The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival — 50 Years." The documentary will air at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also be available on the PBS app to stream. Neikrug is the artistic director for the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and was one of the leading forces in getting the documentary made. The film explores the astounding musicianship, inspired direction and exquisite performances that have defined the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival for the past 50 years. It reveals the musicians and their relationships to their instruments, and presents spectacular performances from an intimate perspective, diving into the heart and soul of one of chamber music's most revered festivals. "We accommodated a lot of David's wishes when it came to capturing the instruments," Neikrug says. "At first, I was wondering what he was going to do. After seeing the finished product, I'm very pleased with how it came out." Neikrug says even his wife, who has been around the musicians for 35 years, told him that she really enjoyed the explanation of the relationship of the instruments with the musicians. "Taking that approach got each musician to talk about the real core of who they are," Neikrug says. "David was able to capture place. He understood that part, and it represents what we strive to accomplish with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival." Neikrug says being able to celebrate 50 years is a special milestone. "It's a big one," he says. "Last summer should have been our 50th festival, but we lost a year due to COVID. In this field of art, so much depends on the arbitrary hope that people are going to come and buy tickets. We've had support for 50 years now and it's more than comforting to me." Neikrug says the milestone is also important because the world needs the arts around. "The arts are nurturing and necessary," he says. "Can you imagine how pathetic life would be without any type of art. It's enriching, all while being inspiring." The documentary doesn't have a narrator, as Aubrey let the musicians carry the story forward. "What David does is weave what the people are saying and that's enough to carry the film," he says. "It's really clever." As the film gets ready for its premiere on New Mexico PBS, Neikrug hopes that it inspires more people to pay attention to the arts. "After 50 years of the festival, there are people that still don't realize that we put this on," he says. "I always had a wish that after people would watch this film, they would have the urge to rush out and come to one of the shows. I hope it happens." SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.