July 05, 2005 -

CBC Radio Two’s weekday program STUDIO SPARKS is repeating its popular series The Concerto According to Pinchas for ten days from July 4 to 15 at 14:00 This 10-part series features host Eric Friesen in conversation with Maestro Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

And now the series is available to own as a box CD set. It can be purchased through the CBC Boutique at www.cbcshop.ca.

The series includes the maestro demonstrating musical points in studio on his violin. It also features recordings by Zukerman, Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman, as well as personal stories of time spent with other great musicians like Leonard Bernstein, Daniel Barenboim and Pablo Casals.

The Concerto According to Pinchas episodes are:

• July 4 - The building blocks to greatness - the concertos of Vivaldi, Bach and Mozart
• July 5 - Bruch Concerto No.1 and Scottish Fantasy
• July 6 - Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 35
• July 7 - Bartók Violin Concerto No. 2
• July 8 - Beethoven Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 61
• July 11 - Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 77
• July 12 - Berg Violin Concerto - To the memory of an angel
• July 13 -  Elgar Violin Concerto in B Minor, Opus 61
• July 14 -  Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64
• July 15 - Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor, Opus 47

“As I sat with Pinchas Zukerman and his Guarneri del Gesù fiddle, I was overwhelmed by his generosity in revealing to us a lifetime spent with the great violin concertos and their interpreters,” says Eric Friesen. “These conversations reveal the real Pinchas: brilliant, funny, passionate, and as always, the finest player of his generation.”

“These programs have been a real joy to make,” says Pinchas Zukerman. “I want to thank CBC producer Jill LaForty and my old friend Eric Friesen for giving me the opportunity to speak my mind and my heart on tape. I hope the audience enjoys these wonderful concertos. Happy listening!”

STUDIO SPARKS airs across the country weekdays from noon to 15:00 on CBC Radio Two. Eric Friesen, former host of IN PERFORMANCE and ONSTAGE, hosts the program from the CBC production centre in Ottawa. The show is a mix of classical music with the best in classic jazz, world and other musical styles.

Maestro Zukerman donated his production remuneration to the Young Artists Program at the National Arts Centre.

Jill LaForty produced The Concerto According to Pinchas. The series website, at cbc.ca/concertos includes a photo gallery, bonus tracks and a chance for listeners to vote for their favourite concerto. The executive producer of STUDIO SPARKS is Wendy Robbins. For more information on CBC Radio programming, visit cbc.ca/programguide/radio/.

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For further information contact:
Jane Morris, National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000 x 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca