Odesa Classics: Festival in Exile

Ottawa Chamberfest welcomes the North American debut of Odesa Classics, the internationally acclaimed festival founded in 2015 by pianist Alexey Botvinov. Since the full-scale invasion made it impossible for the festival to continue in its home city, the celebrated “pearl of the Black Sea,” Odesa Classics has lived on in exile, bringing Ukrainian artists, music, and cultural spirit to audiences across Europe.

In this special collaboration, Chamberfest and Odesa Classics come together to offer a stunning and multi-faceted all-Ukrainian program that reflects both the richness of Ukrainian musical culture and the strength of artistic community across borders, including works by Poleva, Karamanov, Barvinsky, and the North American premiere of Valentyn Silvestrov’s new piano trio. The program brings together Ukrainian artists, including Alexey Botvinov and soprano Anna Pompeeva, alongside Ukrainian-Canadian artists Carissa Klopoushak and Roman Borys, and Canadian artists Annalee Patipatanakoon, Jamie Parker, Emily Kruspe, Sam Loeck, and Brett Polegato. The evening concludes with Skoryk’s Melody in A Minor, performed with displaced Ukrainian musicians living in the Outaouais region — a poignant and unforgettable closing tribute to longing, loss, and the enduring spirit of Ukraine.

This collaboration extends beyond the concert hall, unfolding across the festival week with a pre-concert Chamber Chat and a special late-night Chamberfringe performance by Daughters of Donbas on Friday, July 31.

At a time when unity and global connection are at the forefront of public conversation, this collaboration offers a deeply resonant example of the power of festival.

Artists:

• Anna Pompeevasoprano
• Alexey Botvinovpiano and Artistic Director, Odesa Classics
• Brett Polegatobaritone
• Emily Kruspeviolin
• Carissa Klopoushakviolin and viola
• Gryphon Triopiano trio
• Annalee Patipatanakoonviolin
• Roman Boryscello
• Jamie Parkerpiano
• Julia MacLainecello
• Sam Loeckdouble bass
• David Medinaviolin
• Olena Gapeycello

Programme:

Yakiv Stepovyi (1883–1921)
O Mother Earth (poetry Ivan Franko)

Y. Stepovyi
O Cherished Word (poetry by Oleksandr Oles)

Brett Polegato, Alexey Botvinov

Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937)
Moments of Memory (V) for Piano Trio (2024)*+
          7 movements attaca

Carissa Klopoushak, Julia MacLaine, Alexey Botvinov

Mykola Lysenko (1842–1912)
Mariltsa’s Aria from the opera Taras Bulba

Borys Lyatoshynsky (1894–1968)
A Quiet Wind Blows in the Field

Ukrainian folk song
(arr. Vladislav Zaremba)
Oh, I Know That I Have Sinned

Anna Pompeeva, Alexey Botvinov

Viktoria Polyova (Poleva) (b. 1962)
Blessed Sadness for two violins and piano*

Carissa Klopoushak, Emily Kruspe, Alexey Botvinov

Myroslav Skoryk (1938–2020)
Carpathian Rhapsody

Carissa Klopoushak, Alexey Botvinov

Intermission

Alemdar Karamanoff (1934–2007)
(arr. Alexey Botvinov)
Night prayer from Piano Concerto no. 3 (“Ave Maria”)

Alexey Botvinov

Dmytro Lvovych Klebanov (1907–1987)
Scherzo from Trio No. 2 for Piano, Violin and Cello

Gryphon Trio

M. Lysenko
Élégie. “La Tristesse” from 3 Pieces from ‘Album from the Summer of 1901’, Op.39

Roman Borys, Jamie Parker

Vasyl Barvinsky (1988-1963)
Variations for Strings and Piano
          Theme – Andante (quasi Larghetto)
          Variation I – Listesso tempo
          Variation II – Scherzo
          Variation III – Lyrist Song
          Variation IV – Allegro moderato ma energico
          Variation V – Dumka
          Variation VI – Kolomyika

Gryphon Trio, Emily Kruspe, Carissa Klopoushak, Sam Loeck

M. Skoryk
Melody

Gryphon Trio, Emily Kruspe, David Medina, Carissa Klopoushak, Julia MacLaine, Olena Gapey, Sam Loeck, Alexey Botvinov

*North American Premiere
+Commissioned by 53rd Istanbul Music Festival 2025 / Turkey; Wonderfeel Festival / The Netherlands; Walden Festival / Belgium; Off the Beaten Path Festival / Bulgaria; Beethoven Fest Bonn / Germany; Odesa Classics / Ukraine

This performance runs approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission.