From the concert halls of Europe to the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor has always been a hit with the crowds. An instant success when it premiered in 1869, the concerto quickly took its place in the classical music repertoire. It crossed over to rock ’n’ roll in 1961, when jazz artist Jimmy Wisner created the top-10 single “Asia Minor” by playing an excerpt from the first movement on a cheap piano in boogie-woogie style. After recording the concerto on her 2016 album Wonderland — praised by the BBC for “deep lyricism and light, glittering finger work,” — 29-year-old Alice Sara Ott regales the NAC audience with this perennial favourite.

The Friends of the NAC Orchestra are pleased to hold a spectacular silent auction on February 1st in the Canal Foyer of the NAC in conjunction with this NAC Orchestra concert. Bid on outstanding and unique donated items from across Canada and from around the world. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the NAC Orchestra’s commitment to music education programs for young people. Help us build a fantastic future for music in Canada!