Soloists bring magic to Stephan celebration
Richard Todd, The Ottawa Citizen
Destiny Denied was the title of the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival’s noon concert at the Church of St. John the Evangelist on Thursday. It was a celebration of the music of Rudi Stephan, a composer who committed suicide in the First World War by exposing himself to enemy fire. The music he had published has survived, but all of his manuscripts were lost when his family home was bombed during the next war.The program was conceived and assembled by pianist Hinrich Alpers, who is something of a Stephan specialist. It began with Groteske for Violin and Piano, possibly the least interesting of the five works on offer, but still worth hearing. Violinist Stephen Sitarski and Alpers brought it across nicely.
Read the rest on the Ottawa Citizen website: Soloists bring magic to Stephan celebration
Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival option available for Ottawa’s “Girlfriends Getaway”
Let’s face it – girls just want to have fun. And once in a while they need an escape from the guys but not from fun and excitement. Ottawa Tourism is serving up an eclectic menu of Girlfriends Getaway packages where the emphasis is on fun, arts, culture, shopping, and spas all at a very affordable price-from only $138 CAD per person for a two-night stay (based on double occupancy).
The basic Girlfriends Getaway package to Ottawa includes two nights’ accommodation for two people (additional guests can be added on for an extra charge) and a certificate for the Rideau Centre Savings Directory filled with many coupons to satisfy any shopaholic.
And those who purchase a package between September 1 and October 9, 2009 will also receive a complimentary copy of a new magazine-The Best Places to Go Shopping-published by Ottawa Magazine.
And to increase the fun, guests on a Girlfriends Getaway can choose to add on a number of optional activities, including visiting the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum, Canada Aviation Museum, and/or National Gallery of Canada, sitting back on the scenic Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield Steam Train, catching a concert at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (on until August 9, 2009), being pampered thanks to a $50 Holtz Spa Gift Card; or enjoying a performance of the blockbuster hit The Drowsy Chaperone at the National Arts Centre (October 14-31, 2009).
Given Ottawa’s abundance of attractions, the Girlfriends Getaway package provides a compelling reason to plan a weekend visit so gather up the girls and start having fun in Canada’s Capital Region. Guests who book accommodations at a participating hotel for a (consecutive) Friday and Saturday two-night stay have the option to reserve a third night at 50% off the listed room rate. The Girlfriends Getaway two-night package starts at $138 CAD per person based on double occupancy.
Those wanting information, tickets and lodging reservations for the Girlfriends Getaway can visit www.ottawatourism.ca, a powerful website operated by Ottawa Tourism. Visitors can also book by phone at
Big voice headed to Big Apple: Stittsville tenor off to Juilliard after winning partial scholarship
Steven Mazey, The Ottawa Citizen
You’d think that auditioning to study at one of the world’s best-known music schools would be a little intimidating. Not for Stittsville tenor Nathan Haller.
The 18-year-old doesn’t get nervous about singing, and he says he felt pretty confident when he performed in front of bigwigs at the Juilliard School in New York City last March.
Haller, who has what his teacher Judith Vachon describes as “a kick-ass voice,” with beautiful tone, sang arias by Mozart and Donizetti and the poignant British song Is My Team Ploughing. He says the feedback at Juilliard was encouraging.
Still, he was shocked when an e-mail arrived in April congratulating him on his acceptance.
Read full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Stittsville tenor off to Juilliard after winning partial scholarship
Note: Nathan Haller performs at Chamberfest on Saturday, 3 p.m., Southminster United Church, 15 Aylmer Ave.
Ottawa’s annual Chamberfest has shrunk in size, but expanded in scope
COLIN EATOCK, Globe and Mail
Time was when the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival – or “Chamberfest” – boasted it was the largest such event in the world. It grew every year after its founding in 1994, peaking last year with 127 concerts, densely packed into a two-week period.
But this summer, the festival, which opened on Saturday night, is smaller by 34 performances. In part this is a response to tough economic times, but it’s also because of a shift in philosophy.
“The numbers don’t matter,” insists Glenn Hodgins, who is in his second year as the festival’s executive director. “We’re trying to get away from the ‘biggest’ as a benchmark. Let’s be the best.”
Full review on the Globe and Mail website: Ottawa’s annual Chamberfest
Ottawa Chamber Music Festival concert review: New Zealand String Quartet showcases ensemble precision
Richard Todd, The Ottawa Citizen
Another big crowd last night at Dominion-Chalmers, 900 or more, came to hear the New Zealand String Quartet and pianist Anton Kuerti Monday evening. It’s hard to imagine anyone who went away unsatisfied.
The program opened with a short work by Mendelssohn called Capriccio for String Quartet, op. 81. It was performed with that combination, quintessential to the composer, of lightness of touch and melodic richness.
On a technical level, there was little to nothing to complain of. Precision of ensemble, blend, intonation and all the rest of it was spot on.
Full review on the Ottawa Citizen website: New Zealand String Quartet showcases ensemble precision
Chamberfest choices: 10 concerts you won’t want to miss
Richard Todd, The Ottawa Citizen
The changes are certainly no reason for music lovers to wring their hands. The festival’s loyal patrons will doubtless reap some benefits. For one thing, there will be fewer impossible choices to make.
In the past, some very good concerts were staged before tiny audiences because there were three or four other programs offered at the same time. On most evenings at this year’s festival, there will be two major concerts: one at Dominion-Chalmers Church at 7 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts and Humanities (the former St. Patrick’s Church on St. Patrick Street), followed by a 10:30 p.m. concert at St. Brigid’s.
That makes for easier choices, and with one concert at 7 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., some patrons will undoubtedly try to sample a bit of both, as many have done in previous years with simultaneous concerts.
Full story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Chamberfest choices
Duo together at last in stunning show
Pianist Jon Kimura Parker and violinist James Ehnes perform in one of finest concerts of the yearJohn Terauds, The Star
Serious music usually takes a summertime break in Toronto. But that didn’t stop an upstart downtown festival from giving us one of the finest concerts of the year Tuesday night.
It took 15 years for two Canadian stars – pianist Jon Kimura Parker and violinist James Ehnes – to co-ordinate their performing schedules. Given the spectacular results at the Carlu (the once-legendary Eaton Auditorium), one can only hope that this was the beginning of a long and frequent collaboration.
The duo opened the fourth annual Toronto Summer Music Academy & Festival, which runs to Aug. 13.
Parker and Ehnes repeat their stunning program at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival on Saturday (details at chamberfest.com).
Full article on thestar.com website:
Ottawa Chamber Music Festival Schedule
When and where: Saturday to Aug. 8, at several downtown churches and some outdoor venues.
Festival passes: $175 general; $130 Students.
Three-day passes: (For any three days of the festival) $89 general; $70 students
Family passes: (Two adults with two children aged 12 and under) $310 for full festival; $165 for three days.
Passes grant entry to all concerts except the opening and closing “Premium” concerts, which are fund-raising performances for the Ottawa Chamber Music Society. The opening concert Saturday features pianist Jon Kimura Parker with violinist James Ehnes. The closing concert includes soprano Donna Brown, the St. Lawrence Quartet, the Ying Quartet and eight cellists. For those concerts, passholders need an additional ticket ($30 general; $15 for students).
Young People’s Concerts: Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult are admitted free to the three young people’s concerts.
Single tickets: If you do not have a festival pass, single tickets to most concerts are $25 general; $15 for students. Single tickets to the opening and closing concerts are $40 and $20. Tickets to 10:30 p.m. concerts are $20 and $10.
Where to get passes, tickets and information: Passes and tickets will be sold at the venues and can be purchased through http://www.chamberfest.com or 613-234-6306, where more detailed festival information is also available.
Full Story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Ottawa Chamber Music Festival Schedule
Government of Canada Supports Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — 07/22/09 — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of more than $210 000 to support the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (Chamberfest ‘09).”Today’s announcement is exciting news to all involved in Chamberfest ‘09,” said Mr. Galipeau. “The funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government’s recognition of the real impact the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival has on the local economy.”
“The federal government is showing great support for the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival by providing this funding through its Marquee Tourism Events Program,” said Ottawa Chamber Music Society Executive Director Glenn Hodgins. “Now in its 16th year, Chamberfest has consistently presented impressive lineups of world-class musicians that have attracted tourists from around the globe. This funding will help to make this year’s festival even more memorable for both residents and visitors to Ottawa.”
Chamberfest ‘09 presents audiences with chamber music concerts, exhibitions and educational forums on chamber music. The Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible to increase marketing and promotional efforts aimed at attracting audiences from out-of-province and out-of-country, specifically targeting major cities in the U.S., England and other European centres. Chamberfest ‘09 will also be introducing new programming at the recently renovated Saint Brigid’s performance space near the ByWard Market.
Full Story on the Earth Times website: Government of Canada Supports Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival
Not too young to rock
One story that is often overlooked about festivals is the great community work that many of them do throughout the year. This particular story is about Bluesfest’s ‘Be in the Band’ program that matches young musicians with mentors.
Ottawa musicians as young as 11 give Bluesfest their best shot on Sunday
Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen
Imagine you’re 11 years old again. You’re in a band with people you didn’t even know last Christmas. You’ve worked hard, survived a squabble or two, polished a couple of classic rock songs to a rich sheen. Your reward? Something that’s the stuff of dreams: a performance spot at Bluesfest.
“I’m excited. I’ve never done anything that crazy before,” says Gwynneth Magnan. Eleven years old, she’s the vocalist for Full Tip Sleeve, an Ottawa sextet that’s part of Bluesfest’s Be in the Band initiative. The band, along with nine others, performs on Bluesfest’s Blacksheep stage Sunday afternoon.
A showcase on the last day of the festival, dressing rooms, a write-up on the festival’s official website: Bluesfest organizers are clearly keen on Be in the Band. Launched early this year, the program offered young musicians the chance to form a band under the mentorship of a professional musician. Six bands were born, with Bluesfest providing three months of rehearsal space along with a sound system at Ottawa Tennis Club facilities in the Glebe. In April, the bands joined forces for a jam-packed concert (“We were better than I expected, way better than in rehearsals,” says Gwynneth).
Originally, only the best band was to perform at Bluesfest. But during the April concert, Bluesfest’s executive/artistic director Mark Monahan announced that all six groups would get a spot on stage. “The kids were polished and enthusiastic,” says Monahan, himself once a young musician wanting to join a rock band (his instrument of choice, a French horn, nixed that fantasy). “Be in the Band is about the process (of band work), and I realized they were all good enough to play here.”
Full Story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Not too young to rock
