Classical Music In A Special Place: The Festival of the Sound returns to the shores of Georgian Bay
The iconic summer chamber music series is back for its 43rd year and two weeks of spectacular performances in Parry Sound, Ontario.
The 2022 Festival of the Sound promises to be among the most emotional in the history of this world-renowned event and, as Artistic Director James Campbell points out in his opening letter of the season brochure, both musicians and classical aficionados are more than excited to be returning “home again” to one of Canada’s favourite concert halls.
“After two years of silence, the rafters of our beloved Stockey Centre will again resonate with the glorious sounds of pianos, strings, winds, human voices singing – and applause.”
Photo credit Charles W. Stockey Centre
170 musicians will gather from July 17 to July 31 to present 35 concerts in the acoustically brilliant Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts. Audiences are treated to more intimate performances than in bigger halls, and mingle like old friends with the musicians in the lobby afterwards. The Stockey Centre’s location at the Parry Sound harbour allows for intermissions with a stunning view, including during evening performances, when the break often coincides with a gorgeous sunset on Georgian Bay.
Music & Musicians
What’s a Festival of the Sound without all the great composers being represented, including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Brahms, Haydn, as well as modern composers, such as Argentina’s Astor Piazzolla.
And who better to perform their works than equally great musicians, including Jim Campbell, Janina Fialkowska, David Jalbert, Stewart Goodyear, Charles Richard-Hamelin, the Elmer Iseler Singers, The Elora Festival Singers, Leslie Fagan, Guy Few – and many, many more.
Rising stars are represented also by the Stockey Young Artist, Cameron Crozman (cello), and Xiaoyu Liu (piano), the 2021 Warsaw International Chopin Competition Gold Medal winner.
Special Performances
Highlights of this year’s festival will include numerous concerts in the Canadian Pianofest series, the 50th anniversary celebration (delayed two years!) of The Canadian Brass, and the annual opera night – this year entitled “Hidden & Forbidden”, and a multi-media presentation of The Planets by Holst.
There will also be a very special performance of Sounding Thunder: The Song of Francis Pegahmagabow, a musical tribute to the honoured and decorated Ojibwe WWI sniper who was born in Shawanaga First Nation and who settled in Wasauksing First Nation.
Bands on the Bay is back featuring eclectic performances on the beautiful Stockey Centre deck, and the annual Jazz Canada weekend will finish off the festival, with performances by Juno-nominated vocalist Heather Bambrick, Canadian icon Dave Young, and the Toronto All-Star Big Band.
Summer music aboard the Island Queen Cruise returns, with “Live on The Sound” performances by Jeff Young & The Muskoka Roads Band, Celtic Tunes with Poor Angus, and more.
And children (and future main stage audiences!) will be inspired to attend Chamber Kids: Music At The Library and the Strings Across The Sky performance by young local fiddlers.
Concert Times: Something for Everyone
Recognizing that the festival takes place in one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in Canada, organizers present concerts at many times throughout the two weeks, catering both to those who prefer to stick to their dock during the day and those who like to escape the heat in the hall. Performances take place at 10:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 6pm and 7:30pm – pick the times that best suit your plans from July 17 to July 31.
Visiting Parry Sound
Plan to explore more while you attend the Festival of the Sound and make it a longer stay in the west Parry Sound district region. From kayaking to cruising, hiking to sailing, fine dining to casual eats, there’s plenty to explore before or after a concert performance. To plan your stay, click here.
