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Chamberfest is, above all else, a celebration of form. With this festival, Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak aims to highlight both the best of what chamber music is, and what it can be. “Chamberfest uses a very broad definition of chamber music,” she says. “It’s purposefully done, and it’s carefully done, too.”
Chamberfest aims to create a milieu where chamber music builds connections among its performers, and between artist and audience. The smallness of the presenting ensembles and the intimacy of the venues shrink the distance between stage and house, allowing listeners to feel truly absorbed by the music. “We use a definition that loosely can be said to be a celebration of small ensemble,” Klopoushak says. As a result, jazz ensembles, groups with non-Western influences and even community members themselves join more traditional chamber musicians on stage.
The festival’s 11 days of programming include, in addition to the more traditional offerings, a series of events beyond the concert hall. Each year, the organization puts on approximately 100 community-focused events which aim to expand access to music.
“That’s the beautiful thing about chamber music and this kind of festival: you are much closer to the artists than you would be at the concert hall,” says Klopoushak. Nowhere is this more true than in this year’s unique finale number, “Community in C,” which disposes of the audience-performer divide entirely. It will close the free concert on Aug. 2 when Chamberfest welcomes its Ottawa neighbours to Head Street Square. Here, surrounded by the Ottawa River on all sides, amateurs and professional musicians alike are invited to perform Terry Riley’s “In C,” a piece that is even accessible for novice musicians.
“What better way to end a festival than some real communal music-making?” says Klopoushak.
This season, the festival welcomes a starry array of some of the classical world’s best chamber artists. Pekka Kuusisto & Gabriel Kahane, the unconventional duo better known as Council, will perform as part of the festival’s Signature Series. “That is going to be…a spectacular show,” says Klopoushak of the band that she describes as “boundary-pushing.” Their performance of original compositions, alongside familiar pieces from Bach and Muhly, will depict “the complexities of life in the 21st century,” according to the artists’ show notes.
“Another special collaboration is between Ironwood and the Ottawa Bach Choir,” Klopoushak says. Ironwood Quartet is Klopoushak’s own musical group, composed of four National Arts Centre Orchestra musicians. They will be joined by the Ottawa Bach Choir and pianist Carson Becke for a program that celebrates the 90th birthday of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Inspired by what Klopoushak terms the “otherworldly” nature of Pärt’s music, the performance promises to be a “reflection on existence.”
During her six years with Chamberfest, the artistic director has observed an increasing hunger for connection among audience members. “Right now, there’s a reaction, a rebalancing,” about how we navigate the arts in a time when technology is advancing rapidly. “There’s a real reach for things that are tangible, and things that are acoustic and authentic.” Chamberfest promises to build this connection through the celebration of music.
Chamberfest 2026 runs July 23–Aug. 22 in Ottawa, Ont. Find more information at www.chamberfest.com.
NEW THIS YEAR
When asked about performers she was excited to see, Carissa Klopoushak emphasized that she was a fan of chamber music before ever becoming a director and curator. “I’m really moved by ensembles that play in this way,” she says. “Chamber music, to me, is the pinnacle of heart-to-heart music-making.” She highlights a few ensembles who will appear at Chamberfest for the first time this summer:
Poiesis Quartet
The Chicago-based Poiesis Quartet gained international recognition as the winners of the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Festival. For many, they were an exciting choice, given their departure from traditional repertoire in favour of works by new composers. They will continue in that direction at this year’s Chamberfest.
“They are not just superlative players, but their programming is also extremely thoughtful and almost … unabashed,” Klopoushak says with a smile. Among the pieces they perform at Chamberfest will be an original composition from Ottawa-based composer Kevin Lau.
For their second performance, they will accompany renowned pianist Jon Kimura Parker, who will be returning to Ottawa Chamberfest for the first time in ten years. In the spirit of community, he will teach a free masterclass to the general public before his performance with the quartet.
Odessa Classics
For the first time, Chamberfest will be partnering with another music festival. Odessa Classics, previously held in Odessa, Ukraine, has been presented in exile since 2022. The festival musicians will perform underrepresented works of the Ukrainian repertoire, including the North American premiere of Valentin Silvestrov’s new piano trio.
Chamberfest Camerata
The newly-formed Chamberfest Camerata will perform a series of concerts, including the concluding “Community in C” gathering in downtown Ottawa. This group is composed of a rotating membership of Chamberfest musicians, including Klopoushak’s own Ironwood Quartet.
“That’s the joy of chamber music,” she says. “Collaborating, adding a player here or there, trying out a piano, clarinet, something new. It adds so much to our music.” The Camerata invites spontaneity, welcoming musicians to collaborate in new ways.
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