March 29, 2007 -

Ottawa, Canada -- American pianist Richard Goode, acknowledged worldwide as one of today’s leading interpreters of Classical and Romantic music, returns to the National Arts Centre for the first time since 1991 in a solo piano recital of Bach, Mozart, Brahms and Debussy on the Bombardier Great Performers Series on Thursday, April 5 in Southam Hall at 20:00.

Richard Goode’s recital comprises J.S. Bach’s Partita No. 5 in G major, written to challenge technical dexterity and interpretive faculties; Mozart’s pensive, melancholic Rondo in A minor; Brahms’ Seven Fantasies, intense and reflective capriccios and intermezzos among the last music written by the composer; and Debussy’s Preludes, Book II, twelve miniatures that each conjure an image ranging from fog to fairies to Dickens’ Pickwick.

The New York Times says “Mr. Goode has thought long and hard and cares deeply about what he plays, and he has much to say that is provocative and moving....Perhaps his most important gift is a clarity and soundness of expression, which compels a listener to re-think familiar pieces in new ways,” while the London Times describes him as, “the pianists’ pianist, a superb artist who attacks the classical repertoire with the full force of his heart and mind.” The San Francisco Chronicle described a recent solo performance as “one of the most exciting and satisfying piano recitals in recent memory.”

A native of New York, Richard Goode has won many prizes, including the Young Concert Artists Award, First Prize in the Clara Haskil Competition, the Avery Fisher Prize, and a Grammy Award. Recent performances include an eight-event Carnegie Hall Perspectives last season and recitals in the major music capitols in Europe and the United States, including London, Brussels, Lisbon, Madrid, Leipzig, Rotterdam, Warsaw, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and an all-Bach program at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. He continued his collaboration with the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Ivan Fisher on the Five Beethoven Concertos with a two-week European tour, including London’s Barbican Centre.

Richard Goode has been serving with Mitsuko Uchida as co-Artistic Director of the Marlboro Music School and Festival since 2000. He resides in New York with his wife, Marcia Weinfeld, a former NAC Orchestra violinist whom he met when guest performing in Ottawa in 1983.

Tickets for this Bombardier Great Performers recital on Thursday, April 5 are on sale now at $18.82 $38.64 $44.58 $48.54 $58.45 $68.36 (6% 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 website 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. Same-day Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $10 at the NAC Box Office between 14:00 and 18:00 on the day of performance only, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.
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.

Tune into the NAC Orchestra’s internationally applauded NACOcast, a downloadable audio programme of observations and interviews on classical music hosted by NACO principal bassoon Christopher Millard, available for listening or downloading here: www.nac-cna.ca/podcast. The latest NACOcast features an interview with renowned British conductor/composer Oliver Knussen. (French podcasts, BaladOCNA hosted by assistant principal double bass Marjolaine Laroche are available here: www.nac-cna.ca/balados/

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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