November 22, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre is pleased to announce that the NAC Orchestra will present a special programme in honour of Founding Concertmaster Walter Prystawski to celebrate his final concerts after 37 years with the Orchestra. Founding Conductor Mario Bernardi has been invited back to lead the NAC Orchestra in this special tribute on June 15 and 16, 2006, at 20:00 in Southam Hall. When the Orchestra came into being as the resident orchestra of the new National Arts Centre in 1969, both Walter Prystawski (who at the time was first concertmaster of the Basler Orchester Gesellschaft in Switzerland) and Mario Bernardi (who was Music Director of Britain’s Sadler’s Wells Opera) were hand-picked to fill the two most important positions. Walter Prystawski was made a member of the Order of Canada in 2000 and in 2001 received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ottawa.

Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre said: Walter Prystawski is a national treasure. As Founding Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Walter played a pivotal role in creating the Orchestra’s trademark lustrous clarity of sound. His contributions to the life of the NAC and its resident orchestra are many and far-reaching and we are delighted to be honouring him with a celebration that pays tribute to his talent and dedication.”

Walter Prystawski and his colleague and friend Donnie Deacon, principal second violin of the NAC Orchestra, will step out as soloists to perform Bach’s Double Violin Concerto and Walter will take the concertmaster’s chair for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. The concert also includes the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor performed by Canadian pianist Jon Kimura Parker, one of the most frequent and popular guest artists during Walter’s tenure.

This programme replaces the previously announced performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 conducted by Pinchas Zukerman. This symphony will instead be rescheduled for a future season.

More details of the National Arts Centre’s plans to celebrate Walter Prystawski’s career will be announced at a later date.

Walter Prystawski studied at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, and after graduation was a member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto CBC Symphony. He was first a member, then concertmaster of the chamber orchestra Lucerne Festival Strings. As soloist with and member of this ensemble, Mr. Prystawski toured widely in Western Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. He also recorded extensively as an orchestra member and as a soloist for Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. From 1967-69 he was First Concertmaster of the Basler Orchester Gesellschaft in Basle, Switzerland.

As concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, he appeared regularly as soloist with the Orchestra, and as recitalist and chamber music player. Mr. Prystawski was a member of the teaching staff of the Department of Music, University of Ottawa, and served on juries or as an assessor for the Montreal International Music Competition, the Conservatoires du Quebec, the Canada Council, CBC music competitions, the City of Ottawa and various music competitions.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on June 15 and 16 are on sale now at $27.00, $47.50, $58.00 and $60.00, with box seats at $79.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’s web-site at www.nac-cna.ca.

New for 05-06: Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca. Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca