Chamberfest's 34th season wrapped with pianist Jon Kimura Parker and conductor-less ensemble
After 11 days of intimate classical performances, the festival closed with Parker's solo programme and the Chamberfest Camerata's string-focused set honouring a late Juno-nominated composer.
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Chamberfest's 34th season concluded this past weekend after 11 days of classical performances designed to capture what attendees craved: intimate, in-person connection through live music.
Towards the end of the festival, Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker delivered a solo programme that ranged from Mozart and Beethoven to contemporary composers with whom he had personal ties, including Canada's jazz legend Oscar Peterson. As an encore, Parker treated the audience to "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John, citing it as one of his favourite musicians.
New to this year's festival, the Chamberfest Camerata performed as a conductor-less ensemble, with each musician sharing equal leadership. The evening opened with a moving performance of a piece by Cris Derksen, a Juno-nominated Indigenous cellist and composer who tragically died in a car crash in May. Comprised solely of string instruments, the performance offered a fresh take on chamber music while honouring Derksen's legacy.
Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak had framed this year's lineup—opera, string ensembles, piano, and contemporary works—as a response to post-pandemic audiences seeking genuine connection. The festival's mix of established and emerging artists, combined with intimate venue settings, gave audiences the kind of access to performers and repertoire that distinguishes Chamberfest from larger concert halls.
The 34th season drew audiences through 11 consecutive days, filling venues across Ottawa's downtown core and beyond. For those who missed it, Chamberfest's archive includes video and audio recordings of past seasons.
The details
How long did Chamberfest's 34th season run?
Chamberfest's 34th season ran for 11 consecutive days of classical performances.
Who performed at the closing of Chamberfest's 34th season?
Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker delivered a solo programme featuring Mozart, Beethoven, and contemporary composers, while the Chamberfest Camerata, a conductor-less string ensemble, performed pieces including a work by late Juno-nominated cellist and composer Cris Derksen.
What was new about the Chamberfest Camerata this year?
The Chamberfest Camerata performed as a conductor-less ensemble for the first time, with each musician sharing equal leadership and performing solely with string instruments.
