Ottawa (August 3, 2007) — This year’s Chamberfest closing Gala Concert will reflect two weeks of music that organizers promised would offer “something old, something new and something entirely different.” It will also reflect the blend of international artists of the very highest calibre as well as rising stars – an innovation at this year’s Festival that proved so popular with audiences.

“While it is a privilege to have luminaries of the chamber music world in Ottawa, we also have a responsibility to foster the careers of our younger musicians,” said John Frecker, interim Executive Director of the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival. “By giving our rising stars their own five minutes of fame, we are giving them the opportunity and exposure they so desperately need early in their careers.”

Chamberfest ’07 Gala Programme

• Nancy Argenta, James Bowman and a stellar lineup of musicians from Theatre of Early Music present Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater Dolorosa. This powerful medieval poem meditates on the suffering of Mary, mother of Jesus, during his crucifixion. It is thought to be Pergolesi’s last, or next to last, composition, and has been set to music by many composers, including Mozart and Poulenc.
• German composer Nicolaus Bruhns’ Ich liege und schlafe is presented by soprano Agnes Zsigovics, tenor Charles Daniels and baritone Peter McGillivray, with music from the choir and orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music.
• As a counterpoint to their experience and virtuosity next under the spotlight is the young Trio Scherzando with Cakewalk, a light and humorous Peter Martin piece for cello, violin and piano.
• Victor Herbiet (alto saxophone) and Frédéric Lacroix (piano) present Fuzzy Bird Sonata by Takashi Yoshimatsu. “I chose this piece because it’s completely different from anything in the gala programme,” said Victor Herbiet. “It’s a mix of contemporary music, jazz and Japanese folk … in my opinion it is one of the best, if not THE best concert piece ever written for saxophone.”
• Francis Poulenc, who was never happy writing chamber music solely for strings, wrote the very fine Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon. It will be interpreted by Charles Hamann (oboe), Christopher Millard (bassoon) and Stéphane Lemelin (piano).
• Next up, Aires Tropicales for Woodwind Quintet by gifted musician and author Paquito d’Rivera. Born in Cuba, d’Rivera has played at Carnegie Hall with Yo-Yo Ma and is one of only two musicians to have bagged both classical and jazz Grammy’s in the duo category. His work is followed by the wistful theme of Brahms’ Intermezzo, opus 118, no. 1 and 2 played by Tristan Lauber (piano). There is a dreamlike quality to these pieces, even in their most powerful movements.
• The Chamberfest ’07 Gala finishes with Austrian-German composer Ludwig Thuille and his Sextet for Piano, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon, opus 6. Strongly influenced by the German romantic school of Mendelssohn, Schumann and Brahms he later became a close friend of Richard Strauss, before dying at the age of 45 in 1907.

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Closing Gala: Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper Street (at O’Connor). 8 pm. August 4, 2007.

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