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Prêt-à-porter with Casual Fridays
November 7, 2013Janet Wilson, Ottawa Citizen Life Editor, and Charles Hamann, NAC Orchestra Principal Oboe, model stylish, yet simple, fashions tailor-made for NACO's new Casual Fridays concert series. Clothes provided by Ottawa’s Schad boutique. Story by Hattie Klotz Prélude Editor, Carl…
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Alexander Shelley appointed Music Director-designate for the NAC Orchestra
October 30, 2013Over the past decade, Alexander Shelley has established himself as one of the most talented conductors in Europe. He has led the NAC Orchestra in performance five times in the last four years winning enthusiastic response from both musicians and audiences. Born in the United…
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Concert in Shanghai
October 20, 2013The 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.
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Education activities in Shanghai
October 19, 2013While 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.
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It’s all about the loading dock
October 19, 2013For 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…
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A panda lullabye
October 18, 2013The 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.
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Bruch in Beijing
October 18, 2013For 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…
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Sketches of China
October 18, 2013 -
An intimate performance on the Great Wall
October 17, 2013NAC 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…
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Maestro Zukerman says “Art takes time”
October 16, 2013Students 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…
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An encounter of a lifetime
October 15, 2013NAC 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…
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Photos from the Great Wall of China
October 15, 2013NAC 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.
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Busy in Beijing
October 14, 2013During 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…
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Concert in Chongqing
October 13, 2013The 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…
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Interview with John Estacio in Fuling
October 11, 2013NAC Award Composer John Estacio joined the NAC Orchestra's tour to China in Guangzhou. To date his work Brio: Toccata and Fantasy for Orchestra has been performed in Guangzhou and Fuling. The composer took a few moments to share his experiences thus far.