CBC Records/Les Disques SRC releases an all-Schubert CD with Pinchas Zukerman and NAC Orchestra
September 25, 2002 -
Ottawa, Canada -- The latest recording by Pinchas Zukerman and the
National Arts Centre Orchestra - an all-Schubert CD -
is being released by CBC Records/Les Disques SRC to coincide with the
opening weeks of the Orchestra's 2002-2003 season. It is the
fourth recording that the two-time Grammy Award-winning violinist and
conductor has made since becoming Music Director of the NAC
Orchestra.
The CD of two early Schubert symphonies - No. 2 in B-flat
major, and No. 3 in D major - and the Rondo in A major for
Violin and Strings featuring Pinchas Zukerman as soloist, was
recorded in the National Arts Centre's Southam Hall during the
Great Composers Festival in 2001. It marks the first recording of a
Schubert Symphony by the Maestro whose extensive discography numbers
over 100 releases.
"I'm delighted that this recording will help give all
Canadians, and especially young people, the chance to share the music
of their National Arts Centre Orchestra," said Pinchas Zukerman.
"I'm very proud of how wonderful the players sound."
Since becoming Music Director of the NAC Orchestra, Zukerman has
recorded Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Beethoven Symphonies
Nos. 1 and 2 (his first recording of a Beethoven symphony), and a
chamber music CD of Mozart flute quartets with Joanna G'froerer,
Martin Beaver and Amanda Forsyth, all with CBC Records/Les Disques
SRC. Now the NAC Orchestra turns to the music of Franz Schubert
highlighting two brilliant symphonies written when the composer was
only 18 - a prolific year that saw the creation of an
incredible body of works including the famed Erlkönig.
The Rondo was composed the following year. For this recording, its
musical forces have been expanded from quartet to string orchestra to
complement Zukerman's brilliant violin playing.
Christopher Deacon, Managing Director of the NAC Orchestra added:
"Our relationship with CBC Records/Les Disques SRC continues to
result in exciting CDs, and allows us to provide these recordings to
school children and educators. The sonic quality of this recording is
fantastic - listening to it, one feels surrounded by the
Orchestra."
The recording figures prominently in the National Arts
Centre's education plans for the season: As always when the
Orchestra tours with Pinchas Zukerman, an education kit has been
developed to complement the tour. This year as the Orchestra visits
Atlantic Canada with programming that includes Schubert's Third
Symphony, the study guide focuses on the life and times of this
composer. With the generous collaboration of CBC Records/Les Disques
SRC, the CD will be provided free to every elementary school in the
four Atlantic Canadian provinces along with the kit.
TRACK LISTING: Franz Schubert ( 1797 - 1828 )
Symphony No. 2 in B flat Major, D.125 28:59
1. I Largo - Allegro vivace 10:30
2. II Andante - Variationen I - V 8:34
3. III Menuetto. Allegro vivace - Trio 4:02
4. IV Presto vivace 5:53
Symphony No. 3 in D Major, D.200 26:54
5. I Adagio maestoso - Allegro con brio
9:40
6. II Allegretto 5:33
7. III Menuetto. Vivace 4:13
8. IV Presto vivace 7:28
9. Rondo in A Major for Violin and Strings, D.438 14:07
MUSIC TOTAL 70:00
SMCD 5221 UPC CODE 0 59582 - 52212 7
