Sat Jul 29 12:00

Parting Wild Horse’s Mane: Ironwood Quartet with Tai Chi forms

Chamberfest is excited to present this unique, multi-disciplined, all-Canadian event. Combining martial arts with music, prize-winning Tai Chi Chuan players Jonathan Krehm, David Robert, and Evonne Tan join Ottawa’s Ironwood Quartet in an ode to both the Chinese martial art, and to Canadian artistry. The Ottawa premiere of works by Evan Mitchell, Kevin Lau, and Alexina Louie, alongside a performance of Parting Wild Horse’s Mane by one of Canada’s most widely-known composers, R. Murray Schafer, frames Tai Chi Chuan demonstrations of forms and weapons in this mesmerizing performance.

“Having performed this Schafer quartet as a Tai Chi Chuan player,” Jonathan Krehm writes, “I was inspired to commission the other music in this program. Combining the two arts that are the main inspirations in my life was a unique opportunity. I wanted to showcase the energy and elegance of the powerful martial art I have studied for 45 years with the drama it inspired in these composers. Accompanying these forms with art music written by Canadians is a multicultural exercise that is what I like best about what Canada has become: a place that welcomes and honours different cultures, a place where they thrive.”

Programme

Evan Mitchell: Wu Style – Music for 13 Form Spear

Kevin Lau (b.1982): 
String Quartet No. 4

Alexina Louie (b.1949): Lotus III
I. Parting the Sky
II. White Tiger Gazes At Moon
III. Circling The Sky

R. Murray Schafer (1933-2021):
 String Quartet No. 6, “Parting Wild Horse’s Mane”

Download Programme PDF

This concert is presented with support from Jonathan Krehm and Canzona Chamber Players.

 

 

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Festival 2023

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Chamberfest’s Early Music Now series is presented with the generous support of Nicole Presentey

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Chamberfest’s Piano Portfolio series is presented with the generous support of Marg Campbell

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These performances are outdoors. You will need to bring your own seating and weather protection if desired.

Sunrise Concerts are made possible with the generous support of Beechwood Cemetery.

Signature Series

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.

 

 

New Music Now

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Buy all-NMN Event Pass

 

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The Live From… series is digital-only content, part of your Festival Livestream Pass and available in the Livestream Library until August 6. Single ticket access to Hinrich Alpers Live from Hanover and Quatuor Danel Live from Antwerp will be available in July, with the generous support of the Embassy of Germany and the Embassy of France. All digital content from Simon Trpčeski, Rob Kapilow, and Lara St. John is exclusive for Festival Livestream Passholders.

Beechwood Series

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Celebrate the piano at the home of our longtime partners, Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa.

The Steinway Series is made possible with the generous support of the Steinway Piano Gallery Ottawa.

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This summer, our festival offers a rich selection of online content broadcast live from Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in Ottawa.

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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.

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Ottawa Chamberfest is located on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.

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