September 19, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, one of his most appealing works ranging from richly expressive, to ravishingly beautiful to bright and virtuosic, will be performed by internationally renowned pianist Emanuel Ax and the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 at 20:00 in Southam Hall for the first concerts of the Bostonian Bravo Series. (Note the change from the Orchestra’s regular schedule for classical concerts: Thursday subscribers will attend on Saturday.)

These concerts also feature Maestro Zukerman conducting the idyllic and pastoral Symphony No. 2 by Brahms, which will also be performed on the Orchestra’s upcoming Quebec Tour in November. The programme opens with Mozart’s fresh and joyous overture to The Marriage of Figaro.

Mozart features prominently in Emanuel Ax’s busy schedule this season. Before coming to Ottawa he performs Mozart’s Concerto for Two Pianos on the opening Gala of the New York Philharmonic with Yefim Bronfman for a live national TV broadcast. As an “On Location” artist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic this season, he will contribute to a series of chamber and orchestral programs centred around Mozart and Strauss works. With his wife, pianist Yoko Nozaki, a project with the Mark Morris Dance Company originally conceived for New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival in the summer of 2006 will be repeated in Vienna and London during 2007. Tours will include a series of Mozart Concerti with Orpheus on the west coast.

The pianist has been at the top of the musical world since winning, at age 25, the first Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition in Tel Aviv. He has been an exclusive Sony Classical recording artist since 1987 and has won six Grammy Awards. Born in Poland, he moved to Winnipeg as a young boy before leaving Canada to study at the Juilliard School where he first met Pinchas Zukerman. The two have been friends and musical colleagues ever since.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30 are on sale now at $18.82, $38.64, $58.45, 68.36 with box seats at $82.22 (6% 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 website at www.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. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

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. Subscriptions for the season are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

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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