OTTAWA (Canada) – She’s been called “the outstanding Bach pianist of her generation” (The Sunday Times, London), and now, Angela Hewitt is set to bring her latest musical feat to Ottawa.

In The Bach Odyssey, Hewitt will explore J.S. Bach’s complete keyboard works in 12 recitals over the course of four years. The National Arts Centre Orchestra in partnership with Ottawa Chamber Music Society (Chamberfest) will offer these recitals alongside London’s Wigmore Hall, The 92nd Street Y in New York City, and at other locations around the world including Tokyo and Florence for this extremely ambitious concert series.

Hewitt’s performances and recordings of Bach have drawn particular praise, making her one of the composer's foremost interpreters of our time. Performing his body of work has impacted her greatly: “To develop in his [Bach’s] company one’s musical intelligence, technique, beauty of sound and spirit is a great gift and a lifelong adventure,” she says.

Hewitt will lend her distinctive voice, remarkable colour, and sparkling clarity to her performances in Ottawa, the first of which – Recitals I & II – will take place in March 2017 at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, as part of the Chamberfest Concert Series. In July 2017, she will perform Recital III, in Southam Hall, as part of Canada Scene. 

During the 2017/18 Season, Hewitt will perform Recital V as part of the NAC Orchestra’s Great Performers Series in Southam Hall, with two following recitals to be held at Dominion Chalmers Church during the Chamberfest Concert Series, and in July/August 2018 as part of Chamberfest’s annual international summer festival.

As The New York Times reviewer Bernard Holland says, “Ms. Hewitt is one of those rare musicians who seem to get something into their heads and hearts and find it at their fingertips instantaneously.”

Hewitt’s ability to capture the sense of splendour and dramatic effects found in Bach’s Baroque music, with its dynamic movement, vast rhythmic energy, and relentless unfolding musical lines will leave audiences breathless and awe inspired.

“Angela Hewitt has earned a world-famous reputation for her joyful interpretations of J.S. Bach’s work. As always, it is a privilege to have her return to the Southam Hall stage, to share these masterful recitals with the NAC Orchestra and the Ottawa community,” says NAC Orchestra Music Director, Alexander Shelley.

“In the past, Ms. Hewitt has said performing at the NAC feels like “home” and we are delighted to welcome her back to our stage,” he adds.

“Chamberfest enjoys its longstanding partnership with NACO and is thrilled to bring such a monumental artistic undertaking to this community,” says Chamberfest Artistic and Executive Director Roman Borys. “To experience the genius of Bach in the hands of Hewitt over the course of four years will be absolutely transformative.

“The intimacy of Dominion-Chalmers will only add to the experience and reveal insights into the work of this great master.”

Born and raised in Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, Angela Hewitt has received numerous international awards and accolades. She lives in London, U.K., with homes in Ottawa and in Umbria, Italy, where she has created her own annual music festival at Lake Trasimeno. Find out more about this extraordinary artist at angelahewitt.com.

 

For ticket information and specific recital dates please visit NAC-CNA.ca for more detail.

 

The Bach Odyssey Recital Details:

Angela Hewitt, piano

The keyboard works of J.S. Bach in twelve recitals

 

Recital I *(To be performed as part of the Chamberfest Concert Series in March 2017) 

Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906

Aria Variata “alla Maniera Italiana”, BWV 989

Fifteen Two-part Inventions, BWV 772-786

interval

Fifteen Three-part Sinfonias (Inventions),

BWV 787-801

Capriccio on the Departure of his Beloved Brother,

BWV 992

Capriccio in E major, BWV 993

Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, BWV 904

 

Recital II *(To be performed as part of the Chamberfest Concert Series in March 2017) 

French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812

French Suite No. 2 in C minor BWV 813

French Suite No. 4 in E-flat major, BWV 815

interval

French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817

French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814

French Suite No. 5 in G major, WV 816

 

Recital III (To be performed at the NAC in Southam Hall, as part of the Canada Scene Festival July 2017)

Partita No. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825

Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826

interval

Sonata in D minor, BWV 964

Partita No. 4 in D major, BWV 828

 

Recital IV

Partita No. 3 in A minor, BWV 827

Partita No. 5 in G major, BWV 829

interval

Partie in A major, BWV 832

Partita No. 6 in E minor, BWV 830

 

Recital V (To be Performed at the NAC in Southam Hall during the NAC) Orchestra’s 17/18 Season)

The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I

Nos. 1-12

interval

Nos. 13-24

 

Recital VI

The Goldberg Variations

 

Recital VII

The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

Nos. 1-12

interval

Nos. 13-24

 

Recital VIII

Toccata in C minor, BWV 911

Toccata in G major, BWV 916

Toccata in F-sharp minor, BWV 910

Toccata in E minor, BWV 914

interval

Toccata in D minor, BWV 913

Toccata in G minor, BWV 915

Toccata in D major, BWV 912

Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor,

BWV 903

 

Recital IX

English Suite No. 1 in A major, BWV 806

English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807

interval

Suite in F minor, BWV 823

English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808

Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 894

 

Recital X

English Suite No. 4 in F major, BWV 809

English Suite No. 5 in E minor, BWV 810

interval

Sonata in D major, BWV 963

English Suite No. 6 in D minor, BWV 811

 

Recital XI

Four Duets, BWV 802-805

Eighteen Little Preludes, BWV 924-928,

930, 933-938, 939-943, 999

Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, BWV 944

interval

Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971

French Overture in B minor, BWV 831

 

Recital XII

The Art of Fugue

 

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For more information, please contact:

Andrea Ruttan
Communications Officer, NAC Orchestra
Agente de Communication, Orchestre de CNA
Andrea.Ruttan@nac-cna.ca
613 947-7000 x335
613 220-5487 (mobile)