One of the NAC Orchestra's outstanding musicians, Edvard Skerjanc, shares a message felt by the entire orchestra: “We had to pause again... but we will get through this as well.” In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful Adagio from Bach, and stay safe!
Edvard Skerjanc started violin studies at age six, in Zagreb, Croatia, with Renata Senecic. He completed his violin studies at the Zagreb Academy with professor Martin Baric and later in Russia with Isaac Reider. In 1982, Mr. Skerjanc came to the United States to study with Leopold La Fosse. After playing in the "I Musici de Montreal" for several seasons, he became a member of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1995. Throughout his career, Mr. Skerjanc has been interested in chamber music and has played in various chamber ensembles and made several recordings.
Since its debut in 1969, the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra has been praised for the passion and clarity of its performances, its visionary educational programs, and its prominent role in nurturing Canadian creativity. Under the leadership of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra reflects the fabric and values of Canada, reaching and representing the diverse communities we live in with daring programming, powerful storytelling, inspiring artistry, and innovative partnerships.
Alexander Shelley began his tenure as Music Director in 2015, following Pinchas Zukerman’s 16 seasons at the helm. Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Chief Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra (2009–2017), he has been in demand around the world, conducting the Rotterdam Philharmonic, DSO Berlin, Leipzig Gewandhaus, and Stockholm Philharmonic, among others, and maintains a regular relationship with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and the German National Youth Orchestra.
Each season, the NAC Orchestra features world-class artists such as the newly appointed Artist-in-Residence James Ehnes, Angela Hewitt, Joshua Bell, Xian Zhang, Gabriela Montero, Stewart Goodyear, Jan Lisiecki, and Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds. As one of the most accessible, inclusive, and collaborative orchestras in the world, the NAC Orchestra uses music as a universal language to communicate the deepest of human emotions and connect people through shared experiences.