Ottawa Chamberfest joins the community of artists, audiences, friends, and family in mourning the profound loss of Cris Derksen.
Cris was a singular artist – a cellist, composer, storyteller, collaborator, and creative force whose music carried piercing honesty, deep meaning, and an unmistakable, unique voice. Cris seamlessly braided classical music and Indigenous identity and traditions in ways that were forward-thinking, resonant, and uniquely their own.
At Chamberfest, Cris became part of our musical family over many years and many unforgettable performances. From the moment they first appeared at the festival in 2017, audiences were transformed by what they brought into a room. Cris returned again and again with new collaborators, new ideas, and new ways of listening.
Some moments will stay with us forever: the world premiere of Overture to the Spiderbeing in 2021, commissioned by Chamberfest and now part of Cris’s newest release; the late-night performances at Club SAW and GCTC; White Man’s Cattle during our KUN at 50 celebration; and last summer’s Awasowin ᐊᐊᐧᓱᐃᐧᐣ, where music and storytelling unfolded around a fire.
But more than anything, we’ll remember Cris themselves – kind and soft, strong and intense, deeply driven, endlessly creative. Cris challenged the status quo by being fully themselves, honouring their Indigeneity, and telling truths through music.
Cris and our AD Carissa had been working towards something new, something bigger, deepening our already meaningful creative partnership. We will honour Cris by seeing this through.
As we process this profound loss, we pledge that we will celebrate Cris’s life and legacy in many ways, beginning at this summer’s festival. Details will come.
Their creative force will not be quelled, and will continue to move through and inspire all of us who knew them.
Sending love to Cris’s family, friends, collaborators, and community, and especially to Bobby, their wife, who remains in hospital.
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