Oktopus performs Brahms, Balkans & Bagels

Sunday, July 12 | 4:00 - 5:15 PM @ The Gabriola Commons

Brahms, Balkans & Bagels delves into how folk music inspired some of the greatest classical composers. How did Hungarian folk melodies transform Franz Liszt? What echoes of klezmer can be heard in Gustav Mahler’s works? How did Zoltán Kodály preserve the flavors of peasant songs in his symphonic writing? In this vibrant program, classical and folk traditions intertwine through moving and virtuosic arrangements, with klezmer music serving as a unifying thread—punctuated by its dances, inflections, and ornaments.

Oktopus stands as a major voice in Canada’s world-music scene, with nearly 350 performances at home and abroad. The octet, dedicated to klezmer music, sets itself apart with a distinctive approach blending classical, Québécois, and jazz influences. Praised for the quality of their performances and the sophistication of their arrangements, Oktopus has earned numerous national and international awards. Their concerts are passionate and virtuosic, peppered with humor and storytelling. Melancholy airs—echoes of centuries of exile—give way to boundless celebration. Rooted in klezmer, Oktopus extends its branches into Brahms, Kodály, and Mahler, as well as Leclerc, Vigneault, and the freedom of jazz improvisation.

Learn more about Oktopus and listen online at https://www.oktopus.ca

Follow Oktopus on Instagram at @oktopusband and on Facebook at @groupeoktopus

This event is supported by:

$20 Tickets: https://artsgabriola.ca/cultivate-festival/