Mon Jul 31 12:00
SHHH!! Ensemble: Starry Night
Chamberfest presents Starry Night with the Ottawa-based SHHH!! Ensemble. Describing their show as an “experience” (more so than a “contemporary music recital”), pianist Edana Higham and percussionist Zac Pulak explore a dreamscape full of natural and supernatural mysteries with a programme featuring new music commissioned for their project.
Starry Night flows through a dreamscape of enchanting and unexpected sounds. Beginning with reflections on the night sky, the journey continues with an exploration of the subconscious inspired by Dr. Rosalind “The Queen of Dreams” Cartwright’s emotional sleep/dream theory. Then, a soundtrack to accompany moonlit rituals, including music inspired by the United Nations treaty for celestial peacekeeping. Starry Night features new music composed for SHHH!! by Monica Pearce, Jocelyn Morlock, Paolo Griffin, Mari Alice Conrad, and others. Don’t miss this unique performance that promises to be “as accessible as [it is] ground-breaking.” Come to a SHHH!! show and you will encounter electrifying new music performed with passion, daring audiences to “open your ears to something different.” You’ll be glad you did.
Programme
Edward Enman
That Star Is Awake (2021) *
Monica Pearce
rem (2023) * ˆ
Daniel Mehdizadeh
Ritual (2021) *
Georges Aperghis (b. 1945)
Retrouvailles (2013), excerpt
Mari Alice Conrad
The Moon and Other Celestial Bodies Shall Be Used Exclusively for Peaceful Purposes (2021) *
Paolo Griffin
Resonant Bodies in Space (2023) * ˆ
Georges Aperghis
Retouvailles (2013), excerpt
Jocelyn Morlock (1969 – 2023)
Spirit Gradient (2021) *
* written for SHHH!!
ˆ world premiere
- SHHH!! Ensemblepiano percussion duo
Download Programme PDF
More Concerts
Festival 2023
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.
Concerts immersed in Beechwood’s history and beauty, from its beloved sanctuary to the expansive grounds, complemented by the serene hours of the early morning.
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.
Piano Portfolio is a new series from Ottawa Chamberfest that allows us to explore the depth and scope of piano music within the context of Ottawa Chamberfest’s Festival and Concert Series programming.
Chamberfest’s Piano Portfolio series is presented with the generous support of Marg Campbell.
Early Music Now is a new series from Ottawa Chamberfest that allows us to explore the depth and scope of early music within the context of Ottawa Chamberfest’s Festival and Concert Series programming.
Chamberfest’s Early Music Now series is presented with the generous support of Nicole Presentey.
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.
Fourteen-day Chamberfest 2021 passholders can exclusively enjoy musical experiences – from full-length concerts to bite-sized adventures – featuring Chamberfriends in Berlin, Paris, New York City, and North Macedonia. Including Hinrich Alpers, Quatuor Danel, Rob Kapilow, Lara St. John, and Simon Trpčeski.
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.
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
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.
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.
Please note that due to heat warnings this weekend, these concerts will take place inside Rideau Hall in the Tent Room.
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.
This summer, our festival offers a rich selection of online content broadcast live from Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in Ottawa.
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.