David Abrahamyan: ”I am thankful to Konstantin Ishkhanov for his unwavering commitment and remarkable efforts towards ICCF 2025
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David Abrahamyan, Artistic Director of International Chamber Classics Festival
The International Chamber Classics Festival’s (ICCF) inaugural edition, organised by the CMDI (Classical Music Development Initiative) Group in collaboration with the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel of Brussels, is all set to make a grand debut in Brussels, Belgium, from May 9th to 13th. This week-long affair, led by Artistic Director David Abrahamyan and President Konstantin Ishkhanov, is a visionary endeavour incorporating a unique blend of events dedicated to the beauty of chamber music, featuring masterclasses by distinguished professors along with intimate evening concerts, highlighting collaboration between seasoned artists and up-and-coming talent.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Konstantin Ishkhanov, the President of ICCF, on this exceptional initiative,” Abrahamyan expressed. “The International Chamber Classics Festival will highlight the richness of chamber music and offer an invaluable platform for young musicians to advance their musical aspirations. Leading this project is a tremendous honour, and I am deeply thankful to Konstantin Ishkhanov, as well as Anne-Lise Parotte and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel for their unwavering commitment and remarkable efforts in bringing this vision to life.”
Set in the heart of Europe, ICCF will be hosted in Brussels, the home of the European Union, a historic city renowned for wearing art on its sleeve, with a deep-rooted love for chamber music and a rich cultural identity. Speaking on the inspiration and vision behind the musical affair, Abrahamyan said, ”Inspirations came from many places. My experience of living in Brussels was undoubtedly one of them, as was the genuine satisfaction and joy I get from making music of the highest level with good friends, especially when you combine that with the crucial educational factor. However, most importantly, perhaps, was my friendship with Konstantin Ishkhanov because this was the starting point of everything. As soon as this idea came to me, he was the first person I spoke to because we share a similar passion for classical music and the desire to see things done with excellence and dedication.”
Konstantin Ishkhanov, The President of International Chamber Classics Festival
He added, ”The vision is always to maintain the highest possible level of artistic excellence in combination with the crucial aspect, for me at least, of educational brilliance. My initial dream was to inspire young future players, students, and institutions, to connect the great masters of our time with the stars of the future, and to do all that in wonderful and historical locations. It is a wonderful honour, and to see young players get the opportunity of making music with great maestros like Claudio Bohorquez or Yossif Ivanov is always a very inspiring experience, both for us and for them, and it will help to motivate them to improve and grow as musicians.”
The celebration promises an inspiring blend of education and performative art, with masterclasses taking place at Musica Mundi School (MMS), an all-Steinway and Cambridge-certified International School set in a three-storey building featuring charming classical architecture, while concert experiences will be held at the stunning Royal Chapel at Brussels Protestant Church, a magnificent building adorned in rosettes and rocaille-style elements, making it the perfect location for a series of dramatic chamber music concerts. The event’s lineup includes a star-studded host of artists featuring musicians Diemut Poppen (Germany), Giuliano Mazzoccante (Italy), Yossif Ivanov (Bulgaria), Enrico Pace (Italy), Mario Villuendas (Spain) and Claudio Bohorquez (Germany), among many others.
Highlighting ICCF’s collaborative spirit and exceptional roster of artists, Abrahamyan commented, ”Education is the key for everything in life, especially in this day and age, and an essential aspect of it is in performance. Ultimately, all of us musicians make the sacrifices and effort to perform on stage, to make music, and to share our love for it with others like us. A chance to see wonderful professional musicians in action in live performances, and even having the opportunity to go on stage with them, as our Academy students shall have, is undoubtedly the best way to learn, grow and become inspired.”
To conclude the musical festivities, the festival’s grand finale will culminate in an extra special event featuring the most accomplished students from the masterclasses who will deliver a memorable chamber concert that beautifully bridges the rich heritage of classical music with its promising future.
”I hope the students take away inspiration, even more love and passion for music than I am sure they already possess, and a newfound dedication and willingness to take on the hard work necessary to grow into musicians. These are all crucial elements which I hope they will be able to take with them, coupled with a realisation of the importance of maintaining artistic excellence in everything you do and a resilience that will allow them to keep fighting to achieve their dreams and never give up,” said Abrahamyan.
Registrations are open for The International Chamber Classics Festival. Visit the official website at chamberclassic.com to apply now, learn more about the project, Konstantin Ishkhanov or David Abrahamyan and experience remarkable live chamber music in the heart of Brussels.
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