OTTAWA—When Roman Borys, artistic director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Society and cellist with the Gryphon Trio, announced the 2015 lineup for the International Chamber Music Festival on March 24, the room was abuzz as patrons, classical music lovers, and festival volunteers applauded the quality and diversity of the roster of artists and programs.
The 15-day festival, known as Chamberfest, is the world’s largest chamber music festival and this year boasts several firsts as it branches into new territory.
Opening night on July 23 features the premiere of the Canadian National Brass Project, a large ensemble of brass players from orchestras across Canada that will play Copland, Bernstein, and Mussorgsky.
Another first is Haydnfest, a celebration of the music of Joseph Haydn, the father of the string quartet, with a focus on the six Opus 20 string quartets.
“Haydn was known to say, ‘I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me, and I was forced to become original.’ And this is exactly what he did,” explained Borys.
Haydnfest is the brainchild of Borys and Geoff Nuttall, first violinist with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and host of the eight concerts and five learning events. In all, six quartets from around the globe will participate in Haydnfest including the St. Lawrence String Quartet from California, the Danel String Quartet from Brussels, and Toronto’s Eybler Quartet.
