Saul Rubinek and Pinchas Zukerman perform Through Roses July 15-16 at the Canadian War Museum:

Saul Rubinek and Pinchas Zukerman perform Marc Neikrug’Äôs Through Roses July 15-16 at the Canadian War Museum:

A riveting music-drama of a Holocaust survivor

Ottawa, Canada - Through Roses, a music-drama by composer Marc Neikrug that is certain to move audiences, will be performed for the first time in Ottawa by Canadian actor Saul Rubinek, violinist Pinchas Zukerman and an ensemble of seven musicians on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 pm at the Barney Danson Theatre of the Canadian War Museum. NAC Orchestra Music Director Pinchas Zukerman has long wished to bring this meaningful story to Ottawa.

Through Roses was written by Marc Neikrug in 1980 and there have now been over 500 performances in 15 countries in 11 languages. The role of the Holocaust survivor once destined to become a great artist will be played by acclaimed Canadian star of stage and screen Saul Rubinek, the son of Holocaust survivors who began his career in Ottawa before going on to appear in such movies as The Contender, Nixon, True Romance, Unforgiven, Wall Street, Bonfire of the Vanities, Against All Odds, and Sweet Liberty, and TV such as a recurring role on Frasier. Violinist Zukerman, born in Israel to Holocaust survivors, interprets the violin part composed with him in mind by composer-pianist Marc Neikrug, Zukerman’Äôs longtime recital partner. There are seven other stellar musicians in the ensemble which will be conducted by Marc Neikrug.

As heartbreaking recollections of concentration camp scenes unfold, music and words merge to evoke emotions that will remain with audiences for a long time. Neikrug, who wrote the text as well as the score, says: ’ÄúDuring World War II there were musicians in Hitler’Äôs death camps who were kept alive in order to perform. They were made to play marches every morning and evening for the work details leaving and returning to the camp.’Ķ The foundation of all spirituality and elevated humanity in music lies, for me, in the great German tradition. Playing that music in those camps represents a grotesque paradox.’Äù

The evening opens with Mozart’Äôs Piano Quartet in G minor performed by Pinchas Zukerman, violin; Jethro Marks, viola; Amanda Forsyth, cello, and Marc Neikrug, piano.

Through Roses is a unique collaboration between the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Canadian War Museum in conjunction with Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race, an exhibition organized and circulated by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Tickets are $24 and are available at the NAC or Museum Box Office for the July 15 & 16 performances.

Through Roses Cast:

Saul Rubinek, actor; Pinchas Zukerman, violin; Jethro Marks, viola; Amanda Forsyth, cello; Emily Smethurst, flute; Charles Hamann, oboe; Michael Rusinek, clarinet; Beverly Johnston, percussion; Angela Cheng, piano; Marc Neikrug, conductor and piano.