Schobert: Ottawa is a classical music champion Posted on October 2, 2024 By xzuan Breadcrumb Trail Links Music Opinion Columnists Move over, Bluesfest. People of all socio-economic and demographic backgrounds love this time-tested music, and Ottawa offers a rich variety of performances. Published Sep 28, 2024 • Last updated 3 days ago • 3 minute read You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Julian Armour, the executive director of the Music and Beyond festival, is one of the people who have ensured classical music can reach everyone. Photo by Jean Levac /POSTMEDIA Table of Contents Toggle Article contentSign In or Create an Account Article content It seems that Ottawa is always looking for ways to identify itself as this or that thing. Some have spent sleepless nights looking for the elusive slogan or motto that will nail our identity in the public’s imagination. I don’t know if what I propose will do all that. But I would like to submit that indeed Ottawa is a veritable Centre for Excellence in Classical Music. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account or Article content This thought occurred to me as I and and hundreds of others recently took in an outstanding performance by the Caelis Academy of works by the 16th-century Renaissance composer, Thomas Tallis. The space of some 600 years was of nothing as we all enjoyed the power of this ancient music in the voices of some marvellous singers. It would be quite remarkable if this were an unusual event in the life of music in Ottawa. But it’s not. Indeed, classical music abounds in this city. For more than 10 years, I have maintained a website (www.classymusic.ca) that attempts to list ALL the classical music concerts on offer in the National Capital Region. It is not unusual to have more than 40 concerts available in any one month. And who organizes, produces, funds and sponsors these concerts? More than 100 difference organizations devoted to classical music. Furthermore, we have a core of outstanding individuals whose presence has made a huge difference in the state of classical music in Ottawa. I could name many people but I’ll highlight four (sorry for anyone who feels slighted; I only have so much space): Advertisement 3 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content — Julian Armour, who founded what is now called Chamberfest and who started another summer festival, Music and Beyond; — Carissa Klopoushak, who continues to make Chamberfest a fabulous summer festival (and I should mention that both of these festivals present concerts throughout the year); — Roland Graham, who some 10 years ago began a series of Wednesday noon-hour concerts that continue faithfully to this day; — and finally Matthew Larkin, founder of the Caelis Academy (performers of the Tallis concert; see above) and general, all-around creative impresario who is always looking for ways to enrich the musical life of Ottawa. Now, I suppose that some readers may object to my proposal in that only a small percentage of Ottawa’s citizens are lovers of classical music; and they will that classical music is just for the elite. As to the former, I don’t dispute that classical music concerts will never have the appeal of, say, Bluesfest. But as to the latter — that classical music is only for the elite — I vigorously protest. The music lovers I see at concerts are just plain folk, from every socio-economic level and every demographic. And these days a classical music ticket is a much better deal than a pop music ticket. Check it out. Advertisement 4 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Here I’ve gone on like this and haven’t even mentioned the National Arts Centre, another great contributor to classical music in Ottawa. And I’ve only scratched the surface on the subject. Finally, for all those doubters out there, take a listen to that 18th-century rocker, Jean-Philippe Rameau and his “Idiots of Sologne.” Mick Jagger has nothing on J.P.! Tim Schobert is a retired librarian who grew up on classical music. He and his brother used to wrestle to the music of Richard Strauss. 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