October 19, 2005 -

Ottawa, Canada -- National Arts Centre Orchestra audiences will have the opportunity to hear Music Director Pinchas Zukerman as violinist in one of the major works of the 20th century when he performs the Berg Violin Concerto – a work he describes in a video interview on the nac-cna.ca website as “some of the greatest music ever written.” British composer-conductor Oliver Knussen,one of the leading musical figures of today and a close friend and collaborator of Zukerman, will be on the podium for these concerts on Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27 at 20:00 in the NAC’s Southam Hall. Knussen will also lead the NAC Orchestra in Busoni’s Berceuse elegiaque, an early 20th century work never before played by the NAC Orchestra, and Zukerman will conduct Mozart’s “Gran Partita” Serenade, which will give the Orchestra’s superb wind section the chance to shine.

There will be pre-concert talks in French both nights given by Montreal music critic of Le Devoir, François Tousignant. The free talks are titled “Le violon dévoilé” and take place at 19:00 at the NAC.

Berg wrote his wondrous and intensely lyrical Violin Concerto “to the memory of an angel” when he was deeply moved by the death of the young daughter of his confidante Alma Mahler, widow of the composer. Pinchas Zukerman performed the Berg Violin Concerto earlier this month with the National Symphony in Washington CD, where the Washington Post wrote the following:

“Pinchas Zukerman, one of the 20th-century's great solo string players, has broadened his musical activities in recent years to conducting and teaching, joining a pattern of virtuosos whose contributions to classical music shift and deepen. Last evening with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, Zukerman showed that his other activities have not diminished his renowned sound… From the mysterious opening of the first movement, Zukerman used his sweet tone and musicality to articulate Berg’s rigorously constructed phrases. Surrounding these spectral violin lines was an ever-shifting sonic texture of harp, brass and woodwinds…  In the alternately chaotic and solemn second movement, Zukerman brought as much dexterity to the devilishly difficult cadenzas as a feeling of rapt spirituality to the Bach chorale that Berg infused toward the concerto's closing.”

The direction of the Berg and Busoni will be in the hands of a master for these performances. Oliver Knussen, described by Grammophone magazine as “a national treasure” and by Zukerman as “maybe the greatest musical mind alive,” has been Co-Artistic Director of the Aldeburgh Festival, Principal Guest Conductor of the Residentie Orchestra and Head of Contemporary Music Activities at Tanglewood. He last appeared at the NAC in 2004 to lead Pinchas Zukerman in the Violin Concerto that he composed for the NAC Orchestra’s Music Director. The Concerto has been performed around the world to high acclaim by Zukerman and by other leading violinists of today.

Tickets for these Ovation Series concerts on October 26 and 27 are on sale now at $27.00, $47.50, $58.00 and $60.00, with box seats at $79.00 (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. 

New for 05-06: Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances.  To reserve your seats call 947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@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. Subscriptions for the season are also still available by calling the Subscription Office at 613-947-7000, ext. 620.

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