November 29, 2006 -

OTTAWA, CANADA -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra and Music Director Pinchas Zukerman have returned home to Ottawa after a highly successful ten-day performance and education tour of Quebec that reached thousands of concertgoers and thousands more children and young musicians.

The NAC Orchestra performed a programme of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3, Jacques Hétu’s Symphony No. 3 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. The performance of the Brahms had the Montreal Gazette saying, “Here was all we want in Brahms: A plush, glowing string sound with warm winds to match and a lyrical spirit that seemed piped in from central Europe… Technical standards from top to bottom were superb,” and Le Soleil wrote, “Offering up beautiful surprises, in particular in the Presto ma non assai and its cohesive ensemble work, this movement brought to the fore a sense of uplifting rhythm and considerable dynamic control.”

Of the Mozart, Le Soleil wrote, “Mr. Zukerman, who is apparently a force of nature, made his presence known from the start of the first work on the programme, the Third Concerto by Mozart, by using a full and directional sonority. The Orchestra was well prepared and in familiar territory.” The Gazette said, “Zukerman still knows his way around his instrument, as he demonstrated in a silver-toned and easy-going performance at the opening of the programme of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3.” And Le Devoir said, “Zukerman performed the soloist part in a very intimate style with subtle nuances.”

Of the Jacques Hétu, which was performed in the presence of the composer in Quebec City and Montreal, Le Soleil wrote, “It is worth mentioning that NACO’s convincing interpretation of the Symphony was perfect testimony to Zukerman’s fondness for this work.” And the Gazette said, “Zukerman seemed to take this Canadian score seriously, developing a rich wind texture in the nocturnal Adagio. McGill alumna Karen Donnelly supplied a lovely muted trumpet solo.”

The NAC’s education partners for the numerous education activities have been equally enthusiastic:

“My colleagues as well as the students very much appreciated the opportunity to meet the three musicians, and their openness and educational approach. Events like this tour, the magnificent concert the day before and this collaboration with the Conservatory are very stimulating for the future professionals of our institution, and gave our teachers an opportunity to engage in valuable peer-to-peer discussions.”

- Irène Brisson, Conservatoire de musique de Québec

“I have received extremely positive and enthusiastic comments from the students who participated in the masterclasses. Everyone was thrilled and we hope to welcome you back to the Université de Montréal very soon.”

- Madeleine Bédard, Université de Montréal

“Thanks to the materials you sent, the groups of students were well prepared, and they really enjoyed the suggested activities. Mr. Lamothe was very impressed by the musicians’ performance, stage presence and attitude.”

- Denis Morneau, Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières

“I have already received wonderful comments from the students: they are enriched and stimulated. I look forward to the pleasure of a future collaboration.”

- Monique Robitaille, Conservatoire de musique de Saguenay

“I simply want to say, on behalf of myself and my students, a big thank you. The concert was enormously appreciated and the level of the teaching materials very appropriate. Bravo to Joan, Lev, David, Margaret and especially Marjolaine.”

- Georges Latulippe, École de l'Apprenti-Sage

The Quebec Tour ended with the most ambitious education day the NAC Orchestra has ever presented on tour. Nineteen musicians stayed on in Montreal after the final concert to participate in education events in five different locations around the city on November 20, including two visits to elementary schools by the NACO String Quintet, masterclasses (including a brass quintet masterclass), instrumental coaching sessions, orchestral excerpts masterclasses, and an Alma Mater Roundtable at McGill University. These were just some of the 60 education events that took place during the tour.

Another highlight amongst these was the Mashteuiatsh Recorder Project that culminated in a concert by eight brass players from the NAC Orchestra with 120 children from Amishk School in Mashteuiatsh near Lac St-Jean. The concert brought cheers and tears of joy, and a determination by children and teachers to continue with the recorder programme.

All the tour events have been documented in photos, videos, and blogs on the Quebec Tour website at www.NACOtour.ca.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges support for the Quebec Tour from Major Sponsor Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and from Programme Sponsors and Donors Gaz Métro, Enbridge and NAC Friends—Quebec. Media partners are Gesca Limitée (notably through La Presse, Le Soleil and Le Droit) and National Post.

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