Ottawa (July 23, 2007) — The Gryphon Trio has made a name for itself for breaking the mould on chamber music. This year the Festival’s most popular Trio is back with four events, one being a premiere piece for a very special evening.

Composed by Kingston-based Marjan Mozetich, this new work is dedicated to long-time Ottawa Chamber Music Society supporters Mary and David Bullock.

“We were having dinner with Annalee [Patipatanakoon], Roman [Borys] and Jamie [Parker] one evening, when David told them [the Trio] about the composition I had commissioned for our 40th wedding anniversary,” recalls Mary Bullock. “David then happened to say he would love to commission another piece of music for our 50th anniversary — ideally from Marjan Mozetich.”

Almost immediately the Trio ran with the idea, suggesting the Ottawa Chamber Music Society commission it. The result will be heard later this week.

Supporters of the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival since its inception in 1994, the Bullocks have watched both the Festival and Gryphon Trio grow in stature. Launched in 1993, the Trio played at the very first Festival and have returned every year since — each time challenging the boundaries of chamber music.

Mary and David want to share the evening with all volunteers – past and present – who work so hard to make the Festival and seasonal OCMS concerts such a huge success.

“We would not be able to stage a Festival of this calibre without the 500-plus volunteers who offer their help each year,” explains OCMS interim Executive Director John Frecker. “And having a composer of Marjan Mozetich’s calibre is a real coup for all of us.”

While studying piano at the University of Toronto, Marjan Mozetich quickly gravitated to composing, often staging concerts of new music by his fellow students. He has since become well known for writing compellingly beautiful scores, winning the Jan. V. Matejcek Concert Music Award for the volume of work performed and broadcast by a Canadian composer in 2002. One of Mozetich’s best known dedication projects was for the late author Robertson Davies in 1999, composed for piano and orchestra. He will be in Ottawa for the premiere.

Audiences have several opportunities to see the Gryphon Trio’s musical range and innovative approaches.

• Studio Sparks with host Eric Friesen. Ottawa Broadcast Centre. Free admission, space limited. (Noon, July 25)
• Mary and David’s 50th Anniversary Concert. Dominion-Chalmers United Church. (8 pm. July 25)
• Brahms and Dvorák: giants of music, letters of friends. Colin Fox narrating. Christ Church Cathedral. (Noon, July 26)
• Crossings: a musical journey from West to East. Guests include: Maryem and Ernie Tolar (vocalist/winds); Simon Shaheen (oud and Arabic violin); Michael and Roberto Occhipinti (guitar/bass); Jamey Haddad (percussion). Dominion-Chalmers United Church. (8 pm, July 27)

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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