Oktopus

2025 – Celebrating 15 years and releasing Brahms, Balkans & Bagels! Oktopus presents Brahms, Balkan & Bagels, a concert that explores the elements of folklore that inspired great classical composers. In a virtuosic, moving, and unique performance, Oktopus brilliantly blends classical and folk music from Eastern Europe. How did Hungarian folk melodies inspire Brahms and Liszt? How does Enescu's native Romania appear in his works? What traces has klezmer music left in Mahler’s great symphonies? A recipient of numerous awards, Oktopus is a prominent figure on the Canadian world music scene, with over 350 performances both nationally and internationally. The group is primarily dedicated to klezmer music and stands out with a fresh approach that incorporates elements of classical and Québécois repertoire, along with some jazz and Balkan accents. The eight virtuosic musicians deliver a show that is as festive and lively as it is melancholic and profound, sprinkled with humor and stories.