Additional Information
On June 16, rising cello star Cameron Crozman will perform at Salle Bourgie as part of the Montreal Chamber Music Festival (FMCM), alongside other leading figures in the music world. We sat down with him to talk about the concert and his career.
PAN M 360: You’re a very active chamber musician—could you tell us more about your relationship with this genre?
Cameron Crozman : Chamber music is a very important part of my musical career. I fell in love with it fairly early in my career, while I was still a student, and participating in events like the Toronto Summer Music Academy, where I had the chance to play with incredible musicians, has strengthened that passion tremendously. Another reason I’m drawn to this genre is the quality of the repertoire: I believe composers often give their best in chamber music compositions.
PAN M 360: You’re very active in Montreal. How do you feel about performing in this city, and how do you think it has influenced your artistic journey?
Cameron Crozman : I settled in Montreal because, after studying in Paris, I was looking for a French-speaking environment, and here I found a city with a balanced pace of life and an international atmosphere, along with a remarkable cultural scene. In this regard, I believe that the Haus Musique concert series, which I direct with pianist Meagan Milatz and which is made possible by generous donations, is a good representation of the contribution I can make to the city as an active artist in the field of music.
PAN M 360: What is your connection to the program and the composers featured at Salle Bourgie?
Cameron Crozman : As for me, I’ll be performing the Quintet by Jaap Nico Hamburger, a Montreal composer whose works I’ve performed in the past. I can say that, generally speaking, the entire program was designed to engage the audience as much as possible, since this is a lunchtime concert intended to share with the audience not only great music, but also the precious instruments from the Canada Council for the Arts’ collection that will be used during the concert.
PAN M 360: Speaking of instruments, tell us about your cellos!
Cameron Crozman : I have also been the recipient of various instruments from the Canada Council for the Arts’ Bank, three to date. The most recent was a Gagliano, on which I recorded my latest project, and today I have the privilege of playing a Montagnana from the Canimex Foundation in Drummondville.
PAN M 360: Can you tell us about your current and future projects?
Cameron Crozman : Currently, one role that interests and excites me greatly is that of artistic director. I recently helped develop the Classical Valley Festival in Kelowna, British Columbia, which combines classical music with local wine excellence. Despite the many challenges, this work brings me immense satisfaction because it gives me the opportunity to take music beyond major cities and showcase musicians I consider talented. I am also involved with the Festival of the Sound in Parry Sound, Ontario, a staple of the Canadian music scene that has helped me understand the importance of diverse creative projects.
