Fri Aug 2 12:00
Bridge & Wolak: Classically Speaking
Chamberfest welcomes the festival premiere of Canadian globe-trotting duo Bridge & Wolak. Dubbed a “wizard” and a “musical maverick,” Michael Bridge performs on a digital accordion – essentially a computer housed in a conventional accordion case. Together with Kornel Wolak’s “smooth, elegant expressivity” on clarinet, the duo captures the energy and panache of stadium rock with the discipline and finesse of chamber music. Dubbed “The Victor Borges of the 21st Century” (Live On Stage), their program ranges from Mozart and Bach to new Canadian compositions and Eastern European melodies with a delivery that is always irreverent, meticulously prepared, and completely in-the-moment. With Bridge & Wolak, a good time every time is guaranteed!
- Bridge & Wolakmusical duo
- Michael Bridgeaccordion
- Kornel Wolakclarinet
Programme
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)
(arr. Bridge & Wolak)
Overture from The Marriage of Figaro
Marjan Mozetich (b. 1948)
West-East
Witold Lutoslawski (1913 – 1994)
Five Dance Preludes
Allegro molto
Andantino
Allegro giocoso
Andante
Allegro molto
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) and Bridge & Wolak
Digital Stardust
Traditional Bulgarian
(arr. Bridge & Wolak)
Gankino Concerto
J.S. Bach and Charles Cozens (b. 1952)
Fantasia on Prelude & Fugue in C minor
More Concerts
Festival 2024
Experience five spectacular programs on our Signature Series, featuring large-scale collaborations between world-renowned musicians at Ottawa’s Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre. The 2024 Signature Series is generously sponsored by Bytek Volkswagen & Carling Volvo.
The New Music Now series is a celebration of the breadth and vitality of today’s new classical culture. Explore the sonic range of today’s most creative musical minds at Chamberfest’s annual miniseries. Join us on Monday, August 5 for multiple events in a variety of spaces within Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, all accessible with the New Music Now: All-NMN Event Pass.
Buy all-NMN Event Pass
This series celebrates Canada’s world-class standard in chamber performance, featuring string and piano ensembles, choirs, baroque music, singers, dancers, and a bit of jazz. This series also hosts Chamberfest’s 30ᵗʰ Anniversary Celebration on closing night! Taking place at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, these concerts are generously supported by Marina Kun (of Ottawa-based and internationally loved Kun Shoulder Rests).
Our late-night Chamberfringe concerts cross genres and art forms, pushing the boundaries of chamber music with daring and electric performances. Offering everything from lively Arabic jazz to Middle Eastern-Metal fusion, Indigenous beats, and ambient chamber-electronica to Yiddish folk song, or a full-on Ukrainian-Celtic-Arab mashup, there’s always something fresh to check out!
Our Chamberfringe shows take place at La Nouvelle Scène, Club SAW, and The Gladstone Theatre, providing a more casual setting where audiences can enjoy beverages and immerse themselves in the buzzing late-night atmosphere.
Our Chamber Chats: Festival Edition features interactive interviews with festival musicians in person at Woodside hall.
Held within Ottawa’s historic and beautiful Beechwood Cemetery, the Beechwood Series features performances that lend themselves to reflection and contemplation, both in its beloved Sacred Space and on the expansive grounds. The Beechwood Series is made possible with the generous support of Beechwood Cemetery
Chamberfest’s visiting artists give fun, family-friendly, and interactive performances that teach young people about music-making in small ensembles. Kids can experience and explore the storied world of chamber music at our summer music festival. Free admission. These performances usually take place at Ottawa City Hall or the National Arts Centre (Glass Thorstenson Staircase) and are intended for kids (and guardians!) of all ages.
Get out into the open air with various festival performers for al fresco concerts in downtown Ottawa.
These performances are outdoors. Seating will be limited, and you may need to bring your own weather protection if desired.
Eclectic programming resonates against a backdrop of vinyl, vintage speakers, and reel-to-reel at legendary music destination and beloved Wellington staple, The Record Centre. Here, artists are at play: exploring and expanding their creativity in this casual space.
Seating will not be available.
Chamberfest’s Community Engagement and Education pillar (CEE) engages community members of all ages through a diverse range of meaningful music experiences. Whether on stage, online, or on the streets, CEE changes lives through music.
