Artistic excellence is the foundation of our festival.

Our mission is to present an intensive summer chamber music festival that features internationally renowned musicians, explores unique and immersive thematic programming, and creates original, engaging musical experiences for its audiences. Our festival nurtures a deep family-like connection between musicians and audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

History

Ten years ago, Diana Cohen founded ChamberFest Cleveland alongside her father, lauded clarinetist Franklin Cohen. ChamberFest Cleveland is now one of the pre-eminent chamber music festivals in North America, bringing amazing musicians to Cleveland and creating what has lovingly been dubbed the “chamberhood.” Diana’s husband, concert pianist Roman Rabinovich has performed in the world’s greatest halls and with some of the most exciting musicians on the scene.  Roman and Diana now make their home in Calgary, where Diana serves as Concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic, and Roman uses Calgary as a base from which to travel. 

ChamberFest West was founded as a charitable society in Calgary 2021. An engaged Board of Directors with diverse skills governs the organization.

What is chamber music?

Chamber music is composed for performance by a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit inside a palace chamber. There is usually one performer per part and chamber compositions frequently resemble a conversation among the musicians. As a result, playing chamber music requires special skills, both musical and social, that differ from the skills required for playing solo or symphonic works. Performances become a personal experience between the artists and the audience.