July 05, 2004 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra continues its Great Composers Series with a concert of “Russian Romance” featuring music by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov on Tuesday, July 13 in the NAC’s Southam Hall. NAC Orchestra Music Director Pinchas Zukerman is the conductor as well as violin soloist, and the world-renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson is guest soloist. As a special bonus, the ticket price includes the second of three “Encounters with Bach” in Southam Hall at 18:30 featuring organist Thomas Annand in a concert-demonstration of music both composed by and inspired by J.S. Bach. The National Arts Centre Orchestra concert follows at 19:30 after a half-hour break. The Great Composers Series is sponsored by the Casino du Lac-Leamy in association with the Ottawa Citizen.

“Russian Romance” opens with Rachmaninov’s Vocalise, the most captivating of the composer’s songs performed here in its orchestral arrangement with Pinchas Zukerman performing the well-known solo line on the violin. The great American pianist Garrick Ohlsson performs the gorgeous Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini where wit, charm, romance, rhythmic verve and masterly orchestration combine in one of Rachmaninov's greatest compositions. This lush and grandiose programme, featuring an expanded orchestra, closes with Tchaikovsky’s fervant Symphony No. 5 in E minor representing the triumph of hope over adversity.

Since his triumph at the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, American pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of extraordinary interpretive power and prodigious technical facility. Although he has long been regarded as one of the world’s leading exponents of the music of Chopin, Mr. Ohlsson commands an enormous repertoire which encompasses virtually the entire piano literature. A prolific recording artist, he can be heard on the Arabesque, RCA Victor Red Seal, Angel, Bridge, BMG, Delos, Hänssler, Nonesuch, Telarc and Virgin Classics labels. Ohlsson is currently embarked on a complete edition of the Beethoven sonatas, of which a number of instalments are available.

After winning First Prizes at the 1966 Busoni Competition in Italy and 1968 Montreal Piano Competition, his Gold Medal at the 1970 Chopin Competition in Warsaw brought him worldwide recognition as one of the finest pianists of his generation. Since that time, he has made nearly a dozen tours of Poland, where to this day he retains immense personal popularity. Mr. Ohlsson was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize in 1994 and received the 1998 University Musical Society Distinguished Artist Award in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Great Composers series is priced affordably for summer audiences with tickets at $21 and box seats at $26. All three concerts can be purchased for the discounted price of $44. The Chamber Music Extravaganza on July 3 is $10, or can be added to any of the Great Composers series for only $5.

Tickets are on sale now 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. Groups of 20 or more save up to 20% off. For information and reservations call 613-947-7000 ext: 384 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

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