Festival Co-founder Denis Brott announced that the next three festivals will have a Beethoven themeThe Montreal Chamber Music Festival presents – Beethoven Chez Nous! The Montrealer April 30, 2019 3494 The 24th Anniversary Festival, June 7- 16 will feature three concert series at the intimate Bourgie Hall – plus a special Opening Night Event with Gregory Charles at Pollock Hall Founder and Artistic Director Denis Brott recently unveiled the Montreal Chamber Music Festival’s 24th season. This year is the first of a three-year project to celebrate the life of the great Ludwig van Beethoven. Denis comments: “As a result of a unique alignment of musical stars in 2020, Ludwig’s 250th birthday and the Festival’s 25th Anniversary – I have put together Beethoven Chez Nous! Spanning a period of three years, the Festival programming will be unlike any Montreal has ever heard.” Metropolitan Opera star Joseph Kaiser will return to his native Montreal on June 11 and 12 Photo: Julie Artacho “Each of the 2019, 2020 and 2021 Festivals will feature significant cycles of complete works by Beethoven, some with a very special twist! The music of Beethoven reveals seemingly endless musical treasures. Not only is Beethoven perhaps the greatest classical composer of all time, he also wrote the most chamber music, perfected the string quartet form, and single-handedly transitioned classical music from the Classical to the Romantic era.” Highlights of this year’s programme are two complete surveys. First, the Beethoven Violin Sonatas performed over three evenings by 2019 Grammy winner James Ehnes and pianist Andrew Armstrong. Second, the Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 1-9 as transcribed for piano by Franz Liszt, over five concerts, with six outstanding pianists from across Canada and the world. The Festival opens with a very special treat for audiences, the Montreal premiere of a new show by Gregory Charles, an exuberant survey of the past 250 years in music, across all genres. This year’s Festival also proudly showcases Joseph Kaiser, the extraordinary Metropolitan Opera tenor from Montreal, the best young talent from across the country in BMO’s Hottest Classical Artists Under 30!, a series of free lunchtime concerts, and a special hommage to Albert Millaire. Opening Night! Gregory Charles presents the Montreal Premiere of L’Air du Temps The immensely talented and charismatic showmanGregory Charles will perform an opening concert titled L’Air du Temps on June 7 The Festival opens on Friday, June 7 at 8:00 pm at Pollack Hall with the phenomenal Quebec pianist and entertainer Gregory Charles in the Montreal premiere of l’Air du Temps. The new show is a bilingual look back on the past 250 years of Western music, from Baroque to hip-hop and from the French Revolution to the Digital revolution. This is a rare opportunity for a one-of-a-kind evening with the most passionate troubadour of our time. Next month in The Montrealer, we’ll have a more detailed description of this year’s concert program and entertainers. In the meantime, you can find the festival details on the Festival website: www.festivalmontreal.org You may also call for tickets and Festival passes: 514-489-7444. 2019 Festival Schedule Beethoven Chez Nous! (Programs & Artists Subject To Change) Friday, June 7, Pollack Hall, McGill University 8 p.m. Gregory Charles: L’Air du Temps* Special VIP Meet the Artist Reception following the concert Tuesday, June 11, Salle Bourgie 12 p.m. BMO Hottest Classical Artists Under 30! (Free – includes snack) 5 p.m. Complete Beethoven Symphonies (Nos. 1 & 3) Alexander Ullman, piano (includes a free glass of wine) 8 p.m. Masters in Performance featuring Joseph Kaiser, Martin Beaver and Alon Goldstein Wednesday, June 12, Salle Bourgie 12 p.m. BMO Hottest Classical Artists Under 30! (Free – includes snack) 5 p.m. Complete Beethoven Symphonies (Nos. 2 & 6) Joceyn Lai, piano (includes a free glass of wine) 8 p.m. Viva Voce featuring Joseph Kaiser, Jeanne Ireland and Quatuor Danel Thursday, June 13, Salle Bourgie 12 p.m. BMO Hottest Classical Artists Under 30! (Free – includes snack) 5 p.m. Complete Beethoven Symphonies (Nos. 7 & 8) Carlos Avila, piano (includes a free glass of wine) 8 p.m. Complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas (No. 1–4) James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong Friday, June 14, Salle Bourgie 12 p.m. BMO Hottest Classical Artists Under 30! (Free – includes snack) 5 p.m. Complete Beethoven Symphonies (Nos 4 & 5) Richard Raymond, piano (includes a free glass of wine) 8 p.m. Complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas (No. 5-7) James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong Classical Artists Under 30! (Free) Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3; pianist Alexander Ullman Performance featuring tenor Joseph Kaiser Saturday, June 15, Salle Bourgie 12 p.m. BMO Hottest Classical Artists Under 30! (Free – includes lunch snack) 5 p.m. Complete Beethoven Symphonies (No. 9) David Jalbert & Wonny Song, pianists (includes a free glass of wine) 8 p.m. Complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas (No. 8-10) James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong Sunday, June 16, Salle Bourgie 3:30 p.m. ‘’Tchaïkovski, je vous aime’’ – Hommage à Albert Millaire 17 strings, 4 actors *L’Air du Temps takes place at Pollack Hall, McGill University, 555 Sherbrooke Street West. All other concerts take place at Salle Bourgie, Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, 1339 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal. 2019 Ticket Prices (service fee and taxes in addition) Gregory Charles (Pollack Hall) Regular ticket: $50 VIP ticket: $85 Students: $20 5 p.m. – Beethoven Nine Symphonies in five concerts Regular: $25 Students: $10 Includes a complimentary glass of wine 8 p.m. – Masters in Performance, Viva Voce & Complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas 1 ticket: $50 2 tickets: $87.50 4 tickets: $112.50 (+1 free ticket) Multi-ticket discount available for Masters in Performance & Viva Voce only Festival Pass – Valid for ALL 17 concerts 1 Festival Pass: $300 Festival Tickets & Information: 514.489.7444 or [email protected]
