As 2024 begins, I wanted to share a little excerpt from the Ukrainian composer Viktor Kosenko’s “Dreams,” performed with the incredible Illia Ovcharenko. It was a touching moment for me, and I hope you enjoy it. Слава Україні!
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Chamber Music
The end of an era! For the last four years, I had the distinct privilege of performing on an exquisite 1851 Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin, generously on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank. I’m forever grateful for this incredible opportunity!
On Thursday, April 27th, Ottawa Chamberfest proudly teamed up with Carleton University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ottawa Branch, to present a concert in support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. WATCH THE CONCERT HERE.
The Gryphon Trio joined Chamberfest Artistic Director and violinist Carissa Klopoushak, violinist Emily Kruspe, soprano Irina Medvedeva, actor Moriana Kachmarsky, Ukrainian village voice ensemble Kolizhanky, and Laurence Ewashko and his Ewashko Singers in a program celebrating Ukrainian music and culture, featuring Ukrainian chamber music, choral music, folk singing, and poetry.
News Release: Thursday, March 25, 2021
Ottawa, Ontario – Ottawa Chamberfest is pleased to announce Carissa Klopoushak has been appointed Artistic Director for a 4-year term. Over the last six months, as Interim Artistic Director, Klopoushak has provided confident and innovative artistic leadership to Ottawa Chamberfest.
It was such a pleasure to perform at Venturing Hills Farm Sunday afternoon as part of their Pontiac Enchanté concert series. Phil Chiu and I had another opportunity to reprise the repertoire of our recent SOUNDWORLDS disc, performing the entire album from start to finish.
Ironwood, Ottawa's new "take-no-prisoners" string quartet, plays for the first time under the new moniker on Sunday, December 13th, 5pm, at The Record Centre.
Ironwood is Jessica Linnebach and Carissa Klopoushak (violins), Julia MacLaine (cello), and David Marks (viola), a quartet of curious musicians who spend most (but not all) of their musical time playing with the NAC orchestra.
The 7th edition of Ritornello Fest is over! Ritornello is the only chamber music festival in Saskatoon, founded and directed by Carissa Klopoushak and Jacqueline Woods. It takes place annually the last weekend of May in downtown Saskatoon.
Carissa Klopoushak and Julia MacLaine perform at the first Ottawa Chamberfest City Series concert, playing Bartok, Honegger, Schulhoff, and folk music in the lobby of Ottawa City Hall.
We had a great time performing at Toronto's Gallery 345 last Tuesday, December 9th. It's a wonderful space to play in - I hope to be back again soon! Our concert was also featured as one of Musical Toronto's Critic's Picks. I'm getting really excited for this recording!
Grand announcement time!
I'm thrilled to let you all know that I'll be recording an album with Philip Chiu, performing sonatas by Leos Janacek, Claude Debussy, and Healey Willan, and shorter pieces by Pat Carrabré and Claude Vivier.
Aside from the obvious reasons for recording (it's so much fun!), I'm nearing the end of my tenure with the Canada Council Instrument Bank's 1869 Vuillaume violin and Vuillaume workshop bow - and there's no better way to celebrate than to record! The pieces we're recording are things that the Phil and I have performed together a great many times, starting as early as the 2009 Eckhardt-Grammatté competition winner's tour (Carrabré's Chaconne was the commissioned piece that year), and more recently on our 2013 Debut Atlantic Tour.
We've just finished a couple of private house concerts in Montreal and Gatineau, QC, and are excited to bring the show to Toronto on Tuesday, December 9th, at Gallery 345. Please come! Bring friends!