About the Festival

Chamber music is the most intimate of musical art forms. Its collaborative characteristic is one of musical democracy in action. Each person has a specific role to play and contributes to the interpretation and performance such that the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

A unique element of the Festival’s mandate is to encourage emerging talent of the highest order putting them onstage side-by-side with some of the finest, experienced artists in the world. This creates a stimulating symbiosis for the audience and performer alike.

The Montreal Chamber Music Festival is unique and compelling. No other Festival can compare!

Mission

The mission of the Montreal Chamber Music Festival is threefold:

  • To present unparalleled excellence in classical, jazz and other forms of chamber music.
  • To showcase internationally renowned artists and rising stars from Canada and abroad.
  • To showcase the richness and diversity of Montreal as an international cultural hub.

The MCMF has always favored the promotion of chamber music in all its forms. The use of music as a universal tool for communication and its contribution to overall well-being are of paramount importance to the MCMF.

The MCMF is also committed to making chamber music accessible to the widest possible audience while striving for excellence and innovation in programming. It has always strived to present the greatest international artists and young future stars and, as often as possible, together on the same stage. The MCMF also showcases Montreal’s rich culture and superb heritage and welcomes music lovers from beyond its borders.

The MCMF’s mission includes introducing the public to chamber music by offering free concerts often given by artists at the beginning of their careers. These young performers, who are undoubtedly among the best emerging musicians in Canada, are part of the MCMF’s effort to make original content available to strengthen ties with the community and deepen awareness of its artistic offerings and cultural impact.

History

The Montreal Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1995 by one of Canada’s greatest artists, cellist and conductor Denis Brott. Since its inception, the MCMF’s mission has been born of a fervent desire to create unique experiences for the public and the artists. Convinced that chamber music is an intimate language that begins where words end, each performer invited to play at our Festival is excellent, committed and passionate. Each is the intermediary through which the message of the music is heard. The artist’s sincerity, humility and commitment are essential to creating the unique bond that makes the concert an unforgettable experience.

The MCMF has been considered a major reference event in the North American musical landscape and one of the most renowned chamber music festivals in the world. Chamber music has an intimate character that captures the emotion emanating from each of the instruments and works presented. These distinct languages are juxtaposed with finesse to give the ensemble its full scope and color. The performers present a vast musical repertoire, in an absolute and spellbinding cohesion. It is the art of collaboration at its best.

As James Ehnes, internationally renowned Canadian violinist and one of the artists who regularly performs at the MCMF, says:

“The Montreal Chamber Music Festival is one of Canada’s cultural gems and has been an important part of my life for over twenty years. Few institutions in Canada have done as much for this art form as well as for the fellowship of chamber musicians from around the world.”

Press

Discover what the media are saying about the Montreal Chamber Music Festival through our Press section.

Ludwig Van Montréal

Ludwig Van MontréalApril 3 2025

CJAD

CJADApril 2 2025

The Montrealer

The MontrealerMay 10 2025

Mountain Lake PBS

Mountain Lake PBSMay 12 2025

The Suburban

The SuburbanJune 1 2025

La Scena Musicale

La Scena MusicaleMay 30 2025

The Gazette

The GazetteJune 5 2025

Le Devoir

Le DevoirJune 17 2025

Opera Wire

Opera WireJune 17 2025

Sorties Jazz Nights

Sorties Jazz NightsJune 16 2025

CIBL

CIBLMay 20 2025

Tout un matin (R C)

Tout un matin (R-C)June 6 2025

CBC Listen

CBC ListenJune 14 2025

CJAD

CJADJune 7 2025

CBC News

CBC NewsJune 13 2025

Canal M

Canal MJune 16 2025

Global News

Global NewsMay 27 2025

OUR TEAM

Denis Brott, C.M., C.Q., O.M.
Founder, general and artistic director

Julie Brott
Project manager

Salma Anouar
Operations, development and communications
coordinator

Mark Saucier
Tax advisor

Luc Landriault
Financial auditor, Bergeron, Fidrilis & Associates

Adèle Stéphan
Accountant

Luc Lauzière
Photographer

Olivier Soudin
Social media

Clair Yeseo Cho
Director’s assistant

GrisGris Design
Design and graphics

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Francis Malka, board chair
Philanthropist

Denis Brott, vice-president
Professor, Conservatoire de musique de Montréal
Founder and Artistic Director of the Festival

Georgia Leigh de Villafranca, treasurer

Rachel Bouchard
Coordinator, CHUM Centre for Innovation and Precision Health

Annie Campoli
Vice-President, Distribution, TD Insurance

Nathalie Dyke
Translator

Amin Noorani
President, Executive Search,
Noorani + Partners

Marissa Nuss

Renée Yardley
Commercial Director, PRT Growing Services Ltd.

 

PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

The Festival thanks all their loyal sponsors and partners!

DONATORS

Anonymous

Sebastian van Berkom

André Poulin

Elizabeth Wirth

Francis Malka

Michael Boyd

John Rae

David Sela

Jill de Villafranca

Ian Gibbons, Studio

Apothicaire

Gilles Jarry

Andrew Culver

Audrey Speck

John Hobday

Ruth Dunsky

Peter Payan

Yves Lecorre

Juliette Fong

Arup Dutta

 

The Azrieli Foundation

Jane Skoryna Foundation

William and Nancy Turner Foundation

Stephen and Lillian Vineberg Family Foundation

Morris and Rosalind Goodman Family Foundation

Croll Family Foundation

Other foundations