Saint-Saëns’s Third Violin Concerto—from its flights into the stratosphere of the violin’s register, to the finale’s whimsical flourishes—showed the composer to be a master of violin composition. Music by his countryman Gabriel Fauré completes our all-French program: the serene Requiem, once called “a lullaby of death” and “a Requiem without the Last Judgment” for its gentle nature and sublime choral writing; and Pavane, a brief work of surpassing beauty that opens the concert and includes its haunting flute solo.

May 28 & 29: The Friends of the NAC Orchestra is pleased to hold a spectacular silent auction in the main 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!