Chamberfest 2026 marks the inaugural appearance of the Chamberfest Camerata, a new, conductorless ensemble founded by the festival and made up of leading Canadian chamber musicians and invited friends from abroad. Free in spirit and ambitious in scope, the Camerata brings together like-minded artists to explore chamber music with freshness, intensity, and a strong collective voice.

Tonight's concert centres on string music of power and precision, pairing kinetically charged works by Bartók, Olli Mustonen, and Wojciech Kilar with Beethoven's String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95, heard in a compelling arrangement for chamber orchestra. Across the programme, rhythmic vitality, shared instinct, and the freedom of artist-led performance shape an evening rooted in collaboration and the joyful collective energy of chamber music.

Artists:
Chamberfest Camerataensemble
Yolanda Brunoviolin
Carissa Klopoushakviolin
Emily Kruspeviolin
Jessica Linnebachviolin
Sarah Ying Maviolin
Katya Poplyanskyviolin
Erika Raumviolin
Jasper de Boor viola
Isaac Chalkviola
David Marksviola
Drew Dansby cello
Rachel Mercercello
Sam Loeckdouble bass

Programme:
Cris Derksen (1981–2026)
White Man's Cattle

Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
(arr. Arthur Willner)
Romanian Folk Dances
    Joc cu bâtǎ. Allegro moderato
    Brâul. Allegro
    Pê-loc. Andante
    Buciumeana. Moderato
    Poargǎ româneascǎ. Allegro
    Mǎrunţel. L'istesso
    Mǎrunţel. Allegro vivace

Olli Mustonen (b. 1967)
Nonet No. 2
    Inquieto
    Allegro impetuoso
    Adagio
    Vivacissimo

Intermission

Wojciech Kilar (1932–2013)
Orawa

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
String Quartet no. 11 in