March 24, 2005 -

Ottawa (Canada) -- The charismatic and brilliant young violinist Gil Shaham (GILL Sha-HAM) returns to the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall with his recital partner Japanese pianist Akira Eguchi on Tuesday, April 5 at 20:00. This Bombardier Great Performers recital features music spanning two centuries by Prokofiev, Bach, Fauré and Wieniawski (Vee-NYOFF-skee).

Violinist Gil Shaham is internationally recognized by audiences and many noted critics as one of today’s most virtuosic and engaging classical artists. He is sought after throughout the world for concerto appearances with celebrated orchestras as well as for recital and ensemble appearances on the great concert stages and at the most prestigious festivals. His recent recital schedule has featured performances in Paris, Milan, Brussels, Madrid and New York (Avery Fisher Hall), as well as concerts with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Shaham is a multiple Grammy Award nominee and a Grammy winner for his 1998 recital album American Scenes with André Previn at the piano.  This concert includes selections from his two latest releases, Prokofiev works for Violin and Piano, and The Fauré Album.

The programme takes us from from mid 20^th century – with Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in D major, converted at the request of famed violinist David Oistrakh from a flute sonata and premiered in 1944 – to mid 18^th century with Bach’s masterful Sonata No. 2 in A minor for Solo Violin, “... an awe-inspiring inner world of poignant, meditative, dramatic, tragic and jubilant feeling” (Sidney Finkelstein) and “ ... still the touchstone of a violinist’s technical mastery and musicianship” (Günther Kleinen).

There are also four miniatures by Fauré: a gentle Berceuse, the 90-second Morceau de lecture, and two pieces adapted from incidental music Fauré wrote for a production of Pélleas et Mélisande: the “Fileuse” and the “Sicilienne”.

The recital concludes with three showpieces by Wieniawski, a composer-violinist described by fellow virtuoso Joseph Joachim as “the wildest violinistic daredevil I’ve ever met”: the Polonaise brillante, the Capriccio-valse and the show-stopping Scherzo-tarantelle.

Pianist Akira Eguchi has captivated audiences and critics throughout the world as a soloist, chamber musician, harpsichord player and collaborative pianist. Since making his New York recital debut at Alice Tully Hall in 1992, Eguchi has performed in the foremost music centres of the United States, Europe, and the Far East. His appearances in the United States include Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the 92nd Street Y in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Barbican Centre in London, and Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. Longtime friends and musical collaborators, he and Gil Shaham have also recorded together.

Tickets for this Bombardier Great Performers recital featuring Gil Shaham on April 5 are on sale now at $25.00, $40.00, 42.00, $50.00 and 52.00, with box seats at $63.00 (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.  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.

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