January 29, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- Award-winning French pianist Pascal Rogé, known for exemplifying the finest in French pianism, will perform Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 when he returns to the National Arts Centre Orchestra for the first time since 1979 on Wednesday, February 4 and Thursday, February 5 at 20:00 in Southam Hall. The concerto is a perfect example of the composer's polish, neat formal proportions, clarity of texture and classic elegance of style.

Conductor James Judd opens these concerts with Fauré’s Masques et Bergamasques, Op. 112, written on a commission from Prince Albert I of Monaco. The programme concludes with Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony  (No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 97). Though this ended up being the composer’s last symphony, it reflects the sunny optimism with which Schumann composed it inspired by his new appointment as Principal Musical Director of Dusseldorf, and by the Rhine River that flows through that picturesque and musical city.

There will be free Pre-Concert Talks in English offered both evenings at 19:00 by Music Critic Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer. The title is “Schumann’s Rhine”.

Pascal Rogé’s performance of Poulenc, Satie, Fauré, Saint-Saëns and Ravel is characterized by its elegance, beauty and stylistically perfect phrasing.  Born in Paris, Mr. Rogé has been an exclusive Decca artist since the age of seventeen; he has won many prestigious awards including two Gramophone Awards, a Grand Prix du Disque and an Edison Award for his interpretations of the concerti of Ravel and Saint-Saëns.  His Satie recording “Piano Dreams” has been transformed into a Platinum Disc.  Other recordings feature a Ravel cycle, a Debussy cycle, and for Decca’s 1999 Poulenc Edition: both piano concerti, “Aubade” and the “Concerto Champêtre” for harpischord and orchestra, all conducted by Charles Dutoit. 

Pascal Rogé has performed in almost every major concert hall in the world. Orchestral appearances include all the major London orchestras, Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Vienna Symphony. He made his United States debut in 1974. Since then he has returned almost every season, appearing in both recital and concert.

James Judd made his debut with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1995, and returned twice in 2002 to conduct concerts featuring Pinchas Zukerman as soloist. The British-born conductor is Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In addition to embarking on a sizable series of recordings with the orchestra for the NAXOS label – including the complete orchestral works of Leonard Bernstein – he has brought the orchestra international acclaim. He has conducted in the great concert halls of Europe, including the Salzburg Mozarteum and Vienna’s Musikverein; and has made guest appearances with such prestigious ensembles as the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony, Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, Prague Symphony and the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg.

Tickets for these Ovation Series concerts on February 4 and 5 are on sale now at $27.00, $45.00, $56.00 and $58.00, with box seats at $73.00 (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.  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.

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