How many states have their very own acclaimed composer to celebrate each summer?

Ernest Bloch lived and worked in Agate Beach from 1941 until his death in 1959, and for the past 13 years the Bloch Music Festival in Newport, just an agate's throw away from Bloch's former home, has paid homage to the Swiss-born American who created some of the most beautiful sounds of the 20th century. This year, Bloch's Symphony in C-sharp Minor for full orchestra will be performed for the first time at the festival.

Besides public concerts, the festival offers learning opportunities for fledgling composers, with a composers' symposium directed by Henry Mollicone and a young musicians' program guided by John Stewart. Chen Yi is this year's composer-in-residence.

But what's rarer and a bit unusual is the festival's two-piano institute, underwritten by Linfield College and directed by Linfield music professor Jill Timmons. A generous grant from the Nellie Tholen fund of the Oregon Community Foundation enhances the program, which includes a recital Friday titled "40 Fingers on 176 Keys!," featuring Timmons, Judith Cohen and guest pianists Diane Baxter and Anita King performing Saint-Saens' Polonaise and Poulenc's Two Piano Sonata, among other works by French composers, which are the focus this year.

What's special about double piano music, a form highly associated with 20th-century music? "It's enormous fun to play," said Timmons, who launched the institute four years ago as part of the Bloch festival. "It's advanced, it's virtuosic: A lot of the repertoire are from composers that took orchestra works, then transcribed them to two pianos, like Ravel and Stravinsky. As a pianist, you have to be an outstanding soloist virtuoso, a great chamber player, and a fine accompanist, because you will be doing all three things during any given performance."

Timmons has found that the mix of young and old, pupils and teachers, some coming from as far as Illinois, catalyzes inspiration and enjoyment. "We have young kids who are coming, very fine players, and we have retired people who are playing up a storm. The kids see that playing the piano is a lifelong occupation, and in a way, you never retire from it."

Ernest Bloch Festival highlights at the Alice Silverman Theatre, Newport Performing Arts Center, include the following: 8 p.m. Friday, "40 Fingers on 176 Keys!"; 3 p.m. Sunday, closing recital by Two-Piano Institute performers (free admission); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5, Composers' Symposium Chamber Ensemble featuring music by Chen Yi and Shostakovich; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 6, Bloch Violin Suite No. 1 -- Prayer and "Meditation Hebraique" for Cello and Piano; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, final concert with works by Bloch, Debussy and Richard Strauss. $20 adults, $12 students. For a complete schedule including other coastal venues, see www.baymusic.org. Call 541-265-2787 for tickets. -- Holly Johnson Special to The Oregonian