Montreal Chamber Music Festival Founder Honored with Ordre national du Québec

Denis Brott has been honored as a knight of Canada’s National Order of Quebec

Since 1985, the Premier of Québec has annually honored exceptional individuals who have influenced and contributed to Québec’s growth and renown. The prestigious titles include Knight, Officer, and Grand Officer.

Recognized for his contributions to the music industry, Denis Brott, C.M., C.Q. has been appointed as a knight to the Ordre national du Québec. 

Brott is particularly known for his role as founder and artistic director of the Montreal Chamber Music Festival (FMCM), which recently completed its 28th season at Montreal’s Maison Symphonique concert hall. 

The season presented 15 concerts over two weeks, many of which were sold out and featured a tribute to Canada’s jazz legend Oliver Jones, first-prize winners from international competitions, plus premieres of new works.

Featured artists included Juno Award winners, cellist Bryan Cheng, and VC Artists Kerson Leong and Isidore Quartet.

As a cellist, Brott was a member of the Orford String Quartet from 1980 to 1988, during which he recorded 25 albums — winning the Grand Prix du Disque Award and two Juno Awards. He has appeared as a guest artist with the Guarneri, Emerson, Tokyo, Fine Arts and Dover Quartets. 

His mentors for cello included Leonard Rose, Janos Starker, and Gregor Piatigorsky. Additionally, he has been a jury member for international competitions including the Munich Cello and Quartet Competitions and the Banff and Evian String Quartet Competitions. 

Brott’s accolades include the Great Montrealer Award and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, the 2014 Order of Canada, and the 2016 Order of Montreal.

He was also a pivotal figure in creating the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank in 1985, which provided him with lifetime use of a 1706 David Tecchler cello.

“More than a personal distinction, I consider this honor to be a recognition of the international reputation of the festival I founded in 1995,” said Brott on his appointment. “For the past 28 years we have presented world-class artists alongside the finest emerging talent from Canada and abroad sharing their passion for the art of chamber music with excellence and commitment to the delight of Montreal audiences.”

“[FMCM] is one of Canada’s cultural gems and has been an important part of my life for over twenty years,” said violinist James Ehnes. “Few institutions in Canada have done as much for this art form as well as for the fellowship of chamber musicians from around the world.”