With its 2025-26 season, the Edmonton Chamber Music Society (ECMS) presents a series of intimate performances that bring exceptional international talent to Alberta. Pianist Stewart Goodyear’s opening recital on Oct. 3, one of the highlights of the organization’s seven-show season, is a creative program that combines classic Beethoven sonatas with Goodyear’s own celebrated compositions.
Though volunteer-run, ECMS holds itself to the same high administrative and programming standards as would any of its professional counterparts. Its volunteers are experts in the field of music, many having dedicated decades of their lives to ECMS’s mandate of bringing international talent to Edmonton.
One such volunteer, Professor Patricia Tao of the University of Alberta, has worked with the organization for over 20 years. Days before Goodyear’s season-opening performance, Tao speaks with excitement about all that is to come in their busy season, including a special seventh performance that departs from the organization’s six-show norm.
“Most of our performers are quite new to us—that’s always wonderful!” says Tao. In particular, she highlights the appearance of Canada’s premiere early music ensemble, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, who will join the ECMS season as part of their international tour.
As one of the organization’s primary voices who decide on programming and repertoire, Tao is responsible for maintaining the organization’s focus on securing international talent while still highlighting all that Canadian musicians have to offer. “We have a balanced season of Canadian musicians and international groups this year,” she says. After opening with two performances from Canadian artists (Goodyear, then Taflemusik on Nov. 20), the season moves on to feature a range of groups from around the world, in styles ranging from Renaissance to jazz.
“The main thing we pride ourselves on,” she shares, “is keeping a high standard of performance. We’re really the only presenter in Edmonton that brings in international talent.”
Tao was part of the artistic planning around Goodyear’s season-opening show. His Oct. 3 recital will include Beethoven’s Tempest, Moonlight and Appassionata sonatas alongside his own Rhapsody and Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. This blend of classical and modern pays homage to one of Goodyear’s greatest influences as a performer and composer.
Goodyear’s ECMS solo-piano debut, will be held in the Edmonton Robertson-Wesley United Church, an intimate venue that welcomes audiences “often in the hundreds, rather than the thousands” says Tao, allowing them to connect deeply with the performer and with fellow audience members. As a presenter of intimate concerts that aim to build connections through art, Tao says she is especially excited to begin the season with a soloist. “Solo performance can be so powerful.”
Pianist Stewart Goodyear opens Edmonton Chamber Music Society’s 2025-26 on Oct. 3 at Robertson-Wesley United Church.
