“Four rational people conversing,” was how the famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe described chamber music. The intimate musical conversations that began 200 years ago are still spoken throughout the world, albeit with a varied number of musicians doing the talking and a few more people listening in.
Chamber music still draws crowds and delights music enthusiasts around the world and Canadian devotees are no exception, showing keen appreciation for the genre.
The Ottawa Chamber Music Festival has grown to become the world’s largest of its kind and each year draws people from around the world. From its humble inception in 1994 with 22 concerts in two churches, the festival now boasts a schedule of 90 concerts held in diverse indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city.
Of course, one of the key attractions of the festival remains the acoustically perfect heritage churches that have long been among the standout venues.
The grandiose churches add their own magical dimension to the high-calibre music and have done their share to cement the reputation of the festival as a cultural destination point for chamber music fans.
Highlights of this year’s festival, which runs from July 24 to August 7, include anniversary celebrations of the great composers, hot Canadian talent, and virtuoso musicians from across the globe.
Operatic legend Frederica von Stade, a mezzo-soprano, gets the opening night honours, performing works that span the diva’s three-decade career.
Important anniversaries of past masters will feature prominently in the festival with performances of works by Schumann, Dohnányi, and Chopin, whose 200th birthday was celebrated throughout the classical music community this past year.
Chamber music still draws crowds and delights music enthusiasts around the world and Canadian devotees are no exception, showing keen appreciation for the genre.
The Ottawa Chamber Music Festival has grown to become the world’s largest of its kind and each year draws people from around the world. From its humble inception in 1994 with 22 concerts in two churches, the festival now boasts a schedule of 90 concerts held in diverse indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city.
Of course, one of the key attractions of the festival remains the acoustically perfect heritage churches that have long been among the standout venues.
The grandiose churches add their own magical dimension to the high-calibre music and have done their share to cement the reputation of the festival as a cultural destination point for chamber music fans.
Highlights of this year’s festival, which runs from July 24 to August 7, include anniversary celebrations of the great composers, hot Canadian talent, and virtuoso musicians from across the globe.
Operatic legend Frederica von Stade, a mezzo-soprano, gets the opening night honours, performing works that span the diva’s three-decade career.
Important anniversaries of past masters will feature prominently in the festival with performances of works by Schumann, Dohnányi, and Chopin, whose 200th birthday was celebrated throughout the classical music community this past year.
