May 24, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- World famous pianist Yefim Bronfman joins his good friend Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, in an all-Russian programme on Tuesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 1 at 20:00 in the NAC’s Southam Hall on the Mark Motors Audi Signature Series. Bronfman will perform Prokofiev’s bold and brash Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor after Zukerman opens with the Orchestra in Glinka’s intoxicating overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla. Tchaikovsky’s brilliant, moody and ultimately exultant Symphony No. 4 in F minor concludes this thrilling programme.

Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists performing today. His commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide, whether for his solo recitals, his prestigious orchestral engagements or his rapidly growing catalogue of recordings. Highlights of his current season include a duo recital tour of the U.S. with pianist Emanuel Ax, and serving as Pianist-in-Residence with the Berlin Philharmonic.

Bronfman appeared at the National Arts Centre in 1999 with Pinchas Zukerman on the season’s opening programme, which was recorded live for broadcast by CBC Television. He returned to the Orchestra in 2001 and in recital in 2003. In addition to appearing with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, Bronfman has given numerous solo recitals in the leading halls of North America, Europe and the Far East, including acclaimed debuts at Carnegie Hall in 1989 and Avery Fisher Hall in 1993. In 1991 he gave a series of joint recitals with Isaac Stern in Russia, marking Bronfman’s first public performances there since his emigration to Israel at age 15. That same year he was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Prize, one of the highest honours given to American instrumentalists. An exclusive Sony Classical recording artist, Bronfman has won widespread praise for his solo, chamber and orchestral recordings. He won a Grammy award in 1997 for his recording of the three Bartók Piano Concertos with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Tickets for these final Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts of the season on May 31 and June 1 are on sale now at $27.00, $46.00, $57.00 and $59.00, with box seats at $77.50 (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. Groups of 20 and more save up to 20% on NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To book call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca

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