January 06, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- French pianist Jean-Philippe Collard and Estonian conductor Eri Klas will make their National Arts Centre Orchestra debuts in Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13 at 20:00 in the NAC’s Southam Hall in a grand romantic programme of Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, that opens with a piece by Klas’s Estonian compatriot Arvo Pärt.

Jean-Philippe Collard will bring to life the sweeping melodies, extravagant grandeur, melancholy and passion of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto, probably the most popular piano concerto in the repertoire.

Eri Klas will lead the Orchestra through the fervent conflicts and ultimate triumph over fate of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Klas is also a champion of the music of Arvo Pärt and will open the programme with a presentation of Fratres, one of the best examples of the “Holy Minimalism” for which Pärt, one of the world’s most famous contemporary composers, is known.

The Paris-based pianist Jean-Philippe Collard, born in Mareuil-sur-Ay, Champagne, commands a wide range of repertoire in addition to his complete mastery of French concerto literature. At age 16, he was unanimously awarded First Prize from the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique de Paris where he studied. He subsequently won many other awards including the Grand Prix du Concours national des artistes solistes, Prix Albert Roussel, Prix Gabriel Fauré, Prix du Concours international Marguerite Long/Jacques Thibaud, and Grand Prix du Concours international Cziffra.  Collard was named Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur in 2003. He has appeared as soloist with the world’s greatest orchestras  A prolific recording artist with more than thirty titles to his credit, his discography includes the Rachmaninov Études-Tableaux and Brahms Hungarian Dances (with pianist Michel Beroff), both named Stereo Review’s Record of the Year in their respective years; the Ravel Concerti with Lorin Maazel and the Orchestre National de France, cited by Gramophone Magazine as Best Concerto Recording; and the Chausson Concerto (with Augustin Dumay and the Muir String Quartet) which won the Grand Prix du Disque.

Eri Klas is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Tampere Philharmonic in Finland and the Tallinn Philharmonic in Estonia, Principal Guest Conductor of the Finnish National Opera, and Music Advisor of the Moscow New Opera. He has guest conducted the Berlin, Munich and Rotterdam Philharmonics and appears regularly with the major Scandinavian orchestras, as well as with orchestras in France, Italy, Belgium, Russia and Australia. He has also appeared with most of the major North American orchestras since making his US debut in 1991 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. A great champion of Estonian composers, he has conducted world premieres of works by Pärt, Tamberg, Tormis, Tubin and Eller. David Oistrakh, a great friend of his family in Estonia, was his major musical influence as he was growing up.

Tickets for these Bravo Bostonian Series concerts on January 12 and 13 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.

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.

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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