Ottawa (August 2, 2007) — Two ensembles playing later this week perfectly epitomize Chamberfest’s ‘Musical Tour of the World’ theme. Award-winning Tapestry is presenting two intensely spiritual concerts, while Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan presents an evening of Sunda Songs from West Java. Two contrasting musical styles under one chamber music umbrella.

Over the past decade, Tapestry has established itself as one of North America’s most polished ensembles specializing in the performance of both medieval and contemporary vocal music. Winners of the prestigious 2005 ECHO Klassic Prize for its Sapphire Night recording (MDG Classics), the ensemble seems to be taking its new-found recognition in stride.

“We, the women of Tapestry,” goes a recent biographical note, “have enjoyed 12 years together – traipsing across the country and abroad to perform concerts, lead workshops, make recordings, shop, eat, and try lots of local beers and wines.”

At Chamberfest, Tapestry will feature songs both old and new in two concerts Faces of a Woman and In the Company of Angels. They feature works from the aristocratic and hugely influential twelfth century German Abbess, philosopher and composer Hildegard von Bingen — a social activist before her time whose texts brim with passion unparalleled by any other music of her era. Twelve centuries later another composer with a vibrant feminine voice – Patricia Van Ness - used Tapestry’s unique sound as the starting point for The Nine Orders of the Angels.

Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan is entirely different. The eight professional Canadian musicians – all trained in the classical western style – have pioneered Gamelan, the most popular form of Indonesian classical music. Played on percussion instruments that include metallophones, drums, gongs and spike fiddles, as well as bamboo flutes, the music from one Indonesian island is rarely reflected in the music of another. However, all Gamelan is rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Two very spiritual styles of music, from two very different worlds.

• Tapestry: Faces of a Woman
  The Church of St. John the Evangelist. 8 pm. Friday, August 3.
• Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan, and guests: Jennifer Moore, Suba Sankaran, Maryem and Ernie Tollar in Sunda Songs
  Dominion-Chalmers United Church. 8 pm. Friday, August 3.
• Tapestry: In the Company of Angels
  St. Matthew’s Anglican Church. 4 pm. Saturday, August 4.

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For Chamberfest programme, venue and ticketing information see: www.chamberfest.com

Frances Phillips, (613) 234-8008 Ex. 241; Mob. (613) 852-7848; or email media@chamberfest.com

All of the above artists are available for interviews. Maryem Tollar in both official languages.