Reflection by Conrad Tao

"Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 was the first Beethoven concerto that I performed with an orchestra, and thus the work holds a very special place in my heart. From its perfectly constructed, succinct, Mozart K. 491-echoing opening theme — dare we call it a hook? — to its…

Without you…

Culture Days

Everyone knows that any good performance hall worth its salt is haunted by ghosts. The NAC is no different. If you roam backstage, (and you're really, really quiet) you might hear an otherwordly voice reciting a line from Shakespeare's King Lear, or Michel Tremblay's Les Belles-soeurs. Or…

Reflection by Angela Cheng

"The Emperor was written at the height of Beethoven’s middle period, and its innovations are groundbreaking and revolutionary. Instead of opening with an orchestral exposition, he begins with a cadenza where the piano immediately announces an equal partnership between soloist and orchestra.…

Shining the spotlight on Canadian contemporary music

The NAC mourns the passing of Sam Sniderman

The National Arts Centre (NAC) mourns the loss of Sam Sniderman, one of the country’s greatest promoters of Canadian musical talent, who passed away peacefully in Toronto on Sunday. The NAC has lowered its flag in Ottawa to pay tribute to Sniderman. NAC President and CEO Peter Herrndorf…

Celebrating Glenn Gould

Lang Lang plays Glenn Gould’s CD318 piano

The NAC Gala: A Resounding Success

The National Arts Centre Gala held on Saturday September 22 was a great success both artistically and financially. Lang Lang, the man known for his flying fingers and dazzling style, brought Saturday night’s NAC Gala crowd to their feet with stunning performances of Beethoven’s Piano…

Lang Lang gives the music lesson of a lifetime

Lang Lang’s masterclass, made possible by Bombardier,  was a stunning event – 3 student musicians took to the grand piano for a private lesson – in public! The NAC’s Southam Hall was chocked with Lang Lang fans, all wanting a photo, all listening intently to his constructive teaching…

The NAC marks Glenn Gould’s 80th Birthday

The National Arts Centre will mark Glenn Gould’s 80th birthday with a performance by world-class violinist and violist Pinchas Zukerman, the Music Director of the NAC Orchestra and renowned Canadian pianist, Angela Cheng. Cheng will perform on one of Glenn Gould’s most cherished pianos,…

Masterclass with pianist Lang Lang

You’re invited to attend the upcoming NAC masterclass with world-class pianist Lang Lang, taking place on Friday, September 21st in Southam Hall.  Please note that the masterclass begins at 2:00pm. Hailed by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Lang…

NAC podcasts this week: Conversations about La Bohème and hip-hop

NACOcast with Nicholas Atkinson In this week's episode of the NACOcast host Nicholas Atkinson discusses the extreme responses to opera. Some feel that it is an elitist art form attended by bejeweled woman and 'bejoweld' men. However, as Nicholas points out even the most stoic listener can…

Beyond the performance: Lang Lang is an educator

It will be quite a moment when Lang Lang takes the stage Saturday. He has performed for over a billion people at a time, and has taken the planet by storm. Those who follow classical music may have had Chinese pianist Lang Lang on their radar for many years, but for most of us it was his…

Crystal Pite -Kidd Pivot- Returns in Triumph to NAC Dance!

Those of you who follow Dance at the NAC -- and who doesn't?! -- will be thrilled to learn that the very first show of the 2012-2013 Dance season is The Tempest Replica by Crystal Pite/Kidd Pivot. Inspired by Shakespeare's final play -- and one of his most poignant -- multi-award-winning…