Capturing the Dragon – A Musician’s Images of China

This week the NAC unveiled a stunning photographic exhibit by NAC Orchestra musician Colin Traquair (trombone). The photos were taken last October during the NAC Orchestra’s landmark 18-day performance and education tour of China, which included stops in Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou,…

China Tour Remembered

In this episode of the NACOcast host Nicholas Atkinson (principal tuba, NAC Orchestra) gives an insider's view of the NAC Orchestra's recent China tour, which included a performance in a giant egg and a walk along the Great Wall. Listen to the NACOcast episode: nacocast.ca  Subscribe to…

Concert in Shanghai

The NAC Orchestra's tour to China culminated with an energetic and joyful performance of Symphony No. 2 by Brahms. It was a spectacular end to eighteen wonderful days of teaching, performing, and cultural exchange with music students and audiences across China.

Education activities in Shanghai

While in Shanghai, NAC Orchestra musicians held more than a dozen masterclasses and instrument coaching sessions for students at the Shanghai Conservatory, one of the most prestigious conservatories in China.   

It’s all about the loading dock

For musicians on tour it's all about the acoustics. Each venue provides a different sound that requires musicians to adjust their playing accordingly. For the NAC's technical crew it's all about the loading dock. A good loading dock will enable the crew to unload the instruments and…

A panda lullabye

The adminstration of the Beijing Zoo requested gentle muisc for the The Ambassador Brass Trio performance. Their selection of soothing lullabyes was enjoyed by many curious young children while the pandas did not seem to need any assistance with their afternoon slumber.

Bruch in Beijing

For many people Pinchas Zukerman's performance of Bruch's Violin Concerto no. 1 in Beijing was the concert highlight of the NAC Orchestra's tour in China. The performance was magnificent and the superb acoustics of the National Centre for the Performing Arts caused the lyrical music to soar…

Sketches of China

An intimate performance on the Great Wall

NAC Orchestra musician Marjolaine Fournier has been studying the erhu as a way to learn more about Chinese culture and music. Following the suggestion of her teacher Marjolaine brought her erhu to the Great Wall. After some initial nervousness Marjolaine was soon lost in the moment The…

Maestro Zukerman says “Art takes time”

Students from the Central Conservatory of Music crowded into the recital hall to attend a masterclass by Pinchas Zukerman. During the class Maestro Zukerman returned to some of the basics of posture, bow technique and finding the balance between passion and control when performing. Maestro…

An encounter of a lifetime

NAC Orchestra musician Colin Traquair was browsing in the Porcelain Market in Chongqing when viola player Paul Casey approached him and said "There is a stunning woman in the market - you must take her photograph." They walked down the alley and immediately Colin knew the person Paul had…

Photos from the Great Wall of China

NAC Orchestra musicians awoke to beautiful blue skies today. After a two hour bus ride the group arrived at the Great Wall. The view was stunning. It was wonderful to be surrounded by mountain peaks instead of skyscrapers.

Busy in Beijing

During the next 4 days NAC Orchestra musicians will take part in more than two dozen educational activities in Beijing — masterclasses, lectures, and intimate performances — at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM), the CCOM Middle…

Strolling through Ci Qi Kou

Many NAC Orchestra musicians took advantage of some free time to visit Ci Qi Kou. This historic market features vendors selling everything from candy floss and noodles to silk scarves and artwork.

Concert in Chongqing

The concert at the Grand Theatre in Chongqing was spectacular. The concert began with Canadian composer John Estacio’s Brio: Toccata and Fantasy for Orchestra. NAC Orchestra musicians and the audience were captivated by Pinchas Zukerman's performance of Bruch's violin concerto no. 1 — a…