{"id":114643,"date":"2025-05-27T15:19:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T19:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=114643"},"modified":"2025-05-28T14:00:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T18:00:02","slug":"preview-ottawa-chamberfest-announces-2025-festival-lineup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/05\/27\/preview-ottawa-chamberfest-announces-2025-festival-lineup\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Ottawa Chamberfest Announces 2025 Festival Lineup"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_114646\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-114646\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-114646\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-5.jpg\" alt=\"L-R (clockwise): Ottawa Chamberfest Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak; Trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann; the Montr\u00e9al Horn Stars (All photos courtesy of the artists)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-5-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-5-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-5-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-114646\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">L-R (clockwise): Ottawa Chamberfest Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak; Trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann; the Montr\u00e9al Horn Stars (All photos courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ottawa Chamberfest will be back this summer, showcasing the beauty and breadth of chamber music from July 18 to July 27. Chamberfest looks to offer a wide range of interpretations of what the genre can be, bringing old and new, tradition and cutting edge innovation together.<\/p>\n<p>The performers range from festival favourites like Julie Nesrallah, trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann Gryphon Trio, Cree cellist Cris Derksen, and Ottawa-born cellist Bryan Cheng with festival newcomers like Montr\u00e9al-based jazz pianist Taurey Butler, legendary violinist Shunske Sato, British vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six, and pianist-comedian Sarah Hagen.<\/p>\n<p>The National Youth Orchestra of Canada also joins the festival lineup to celebrate their 65th birthday.,<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChamberfest is a celebration of what makes Canada\u2019s music scene extraordinary,\u201d says Artistic Director<strong> Carissa Klopoushak<\/strong> in a statement. \u201cThis year, we honour our musical roots while championing bold ideas and fresh voices. It\u2019s about legacy, collaboration, and a future that shines even brighter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at just some of the highlights.<\/p>\n<p>The Ironwood Quartet perform with pianist Philip Chiu at Ottawa Chamberfest 2024:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0HUwb3MImyo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Ottawa Chamberfest 2025: Highlights<\/h2>\n<h3>Signature Series<\/h3>\n<p>The Signature Series features prominent Canadian and international artists in four cornerstone concerts that celebrate collaboration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Torch Songs &amp; Deco Dreams: Julie Nesrallah (July 19)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mezzo-soprano Julie Nesrallah leads a program of torch songs from the 1920s to the 1950s, including French and South American repertoire in new chamber arrangements performed by an 11-piece ensemble. The Gryphon Trio and pianist Katherine Dowling will make a special appearance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Planets and their Musical Moons (July 23)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta, and pianists Suren Barry and Carson Becke were all born in Ottawa, and they return (from Vienna, Montreal, and Wakefield, respectively) for an unusual take on Gustav Holst\u2019s The Planets. It includes a two-piano arrangement of Holst\u2019s suite, together with art songs, opera excerpts, and works for voice and two pianos that express the astrological spirit of each planet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mozart &amp; Vivaldi\u2019s Four Seasons: Shunske Sato (July 26)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Based in The Netherlands, violinist, conductor, chamber musician, soloist and teacher Shunske Sato is renowned for his work in period ensembles, as well as with symphonic orchestras as a musician. He\u2019s making his debut at Chamberfest to lead the Chamberfest Festival Orchestra and perform Vivaldi\u2019s Four Seasons and Mozart\u2019s Sinfonia Concertante.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Canadiana: Jens Lindemann, Taurey Butler &amp; Friends play Oscar Peterson and more (July 23)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The program for this concert focuses on the ways that landscapes, culture, and a sense of invention influence music. It includes Haydn\u2019s Trumpet Concert, which was inspired by Anton Weidinger\u2019s then-new valved trumpet; David Bruce\u2019s Gumboots, a chamber work inspired by South African dance; and Oscar Peterson\u2019s Canadiana Suite. Pianist Taurey Butler joins Lindemann on trumpet.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_114647\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-114647\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-114647\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Gryphon_Trio_1_Credit_Bo_Huang-scaled-e1579617001852.jpg\" alt=\"The Gryphon Trio (Photo: Bo Huang)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Gryphon_Trio_1_Credit_Bo_Huang-scaled-e1579617001852.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Gryphon_Trio_1_Credit_Bo_Huang-scaled-e1579617001852-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Gryphon_Trio_1_Credit_Bo_Huang-scaled-e1579617001852-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Gryphon_Trio_1_Credit_Bo_Huang-scaled-e1579617001852-768x477.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-114647\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Gryphon Trio (Photo: Bo Huang)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Marina Kun Series<\/h3>\n<p>The Marina Kun Series showcases Canadian and international chamber musicians in intimate performances.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gryphon Trio (July 19)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Gryphon Trio \u2014 violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon, cellist Roman Borys, and pianist Jamie Parker \u2014 make a return to Chamberfest with a new program titled Breathe. They\u2019ll be performing music by contemporary composers Reena Esmail and Paul Wiancko, along with Mendelssohn\u2019s Piano Trio in D Minor as they celebrate their 30th anniversary.<\/p>\n<p><strong>National Youth Orchestra of Canada: 65th Anniversary Tour (July 20)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Led by conductor Naomi Woo, the NYO Canada performs a program that includes Mozart\u2019s Overture to The Magic Flute, followed by Debussy\u2019s La Mer and Mahler\u2019s Symphony No. 5.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Introducing Schmaltz &amp; Pepper (July 21)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Toronto-based Schmaltz &amp; Pepper play original compositions that put together elements of klezmer, Yiddish Swing, jazz, and classical music. The ensemble was founded by Toronto Symphony Orchestra principal clarinetist Eric Abramovitz and violinist Rebekah Wolkstein, with Grammy-nominated violinist Drew Jurecka, JUNO-nominated bassist Michael Herring, and JUNO-winning pianist Jeremy Ledbetter,<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tchaikovsky &amp; Brahms Sextets: Bryan Cheng, Theresa Rudolph and Ironwood Quartet (July 22)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Prize-winning cellist Bryan Cheng and TSO assistant principal violist Theresa Rudolph join the Ironwood Quartet for a concert of lush late-Romantic music.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Illia Ovcharenko with Ironwood Quartet (July 23)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>2022 Honens Laureate Illia Ovcharenko joins the Ironwood Quartet for a concert of Ukrainian and German Romantic repertoire. It includes five Preludes by Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshynsky, followed by Beethoven\u2019s 7th Symphony second movement (as arranged by Liszt) and Schumann\u2019s \u00c9tudes, which were inspired by Beethoven. The finale will be Schumann\u2019s virtuosic Piano Quintet in E-flat Major.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Montr\u00e9al Guitare Trio (July 25)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Montr\u00e9al Guitare Trio celebrates their new album honouring film composer Ennio Morricone. The program features their new arrangements of scores from The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Cinema Paradiso, The Mission, and others, along with old favourites from the guitar repertoire.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Gesualdo Six: Wishing Tree (July 26)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>British vocal ensemble The Gesualdo Six perform a program titled The Wishing Tree, which weaves together Renaissance choral works with contemporary music in a celebration of nature and love.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WUJFkYLznz4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Chamberfringe Series<\/h3>\n<p>The Chamberfringe series takes an adventurous approach to performances that includes unexpected collaborations in a late night format.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Montr\u00e9al Horn Stars (July 18)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Montr\u00e9al Horn Stars are a brass quintet, and they\u2019ll be offering up their own arrangements of classical, pop, and jazz music, including improvisations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bytown Sea Shanty Collective (July 19)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Bytown Sea Shanty Collective is an Ottawa-based a cappella vocal quartet, and they\u2019ll be performing both traditional and their own original sea shanties. Warning: a singalong may occur.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Awasowin: Cris Derksen &amp; Friends (July 24)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>JUNO-nominated cellist Cris Derksen has developed a unique voice by blending classical music training with Indigenous traditions, and electronic elements. She\u2019ll be presenting a new project.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Comedy night with Sarah Hagen: Perk up, Pianist! (July 25)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen, a classical soloist, chamber musician, and comedian, blends works by Chopin, Debussy, and Liszt with laugh-out-loud stories gleaned from the life of a touring concert musician.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jens Lindemann and friends: Tribute to Trumpet Greats (July 26)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann blends classical and jazz repertoire in a tribute to icons of the instrument, including Louis Armstrong, Wynton Marsalis, and Doc Severinsen. He\u2019ll be backed by a rhythm section.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x9596LzwUe0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>More Music&#8230;.<\/h3>\n<p>Ottawa Chamberfest includes many more events. Here\u2019s a look at the other concert series in brief.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Midday Matin\u00e9e Series \u2014 Daytime concerts featuring a combination of emerging and established stars in local venues.<\/li>\n<li>Beechwood Series \u2014 Outdoor performances on Sunday mornings in the Sacred Space at Beechwood Cemetery.<\/li>\n<li>New Music Now Series \u2014 Shines a spotlight on Canadian voices in contemporary music, including premieres and celebrations, and the work of Vincent Ho, Kelly-Marie Murphy, Stephen Gellman and others.<\/li>\n<li>Prime Time Series \u2014 Up close performances in the National Arts Centre\u2019s airy Rossy Pavilion featuring renowned Canadian artists. This series is designed especially for Pass Prime holders seeking a deeper festival experience.<\/li>\n<li>And&#8230; \u2014 There\u2019s a host of free community programming, the Kids! series, pop up performance, masterclasses and much more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Find tickets and more details about Ottawa Chamberfest [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chamberfest.com\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? Need to know the best\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>events<\/u><\/a>\u00a0happening this weekend? Send us a\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:anya@ludwig-van.com?subject=Let's%20chat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><em><u>note<\/u>.<\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em><b>#LUDWIGVAN<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n<p class=\"western\"><em>Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"western\"><em>Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! \u2014 local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid=S3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/583e6ce0-dfd0-48be-8a33-61256b3c58e3.mlbtlr.com\/p2\/Fbd8jWoWQQ6CdBcLIvut3Q\/02E3cYaETqaj4Xm087cpSg?contactid%3DS3HHYfHY5rZv5f94S15MnA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1695737525351000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0QTqKRwRJQFGK3KoJYigxX\">HERE<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ottawa Chamberfest will be back this summer, showcasing the beauty and breadth of chamber music from July 18 to July 27, 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":114646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[41660,74,10,76,19,41496,32,38,9570,4557,59],"tags":[41977,1723,2350,39621],"yst_prominent_words":[14678,31715,8398,9035,18580,9043],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-5.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-tP5","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114643"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114643"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114663,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114643\/revisions\/114663"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114643"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=114643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}