NACO, Oct. 21-22: Pinchas Zukerman and Jon Kimura Parker give preview of Western Canada Tour repertoire

NAC Orchestra led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman with piano soloist Jon Kimura Parker gives Ottawa a preview of its Western Canada Tour repertoire on Oct. 21-22

Ottawa, Ontario ’Äì The National Arts Centre Orchestra will set off on October 24 on a 20-day Western Canada Tour across four provinces and to Whitehorse ’Äì the latter marking the ensemble’Äôs first-ever trip to the Yukon. While on tour, Music Director Pinchas Zukerman and musicians will be involved in more than 130 activities in 26 communities, reaching some 8,000 participants. On Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 in Southam Hall, Pinchas Zukerman and guest pianist Jon Kimura Parker will give National Arts Centre audiences a preview of some of the repertoire they are taking on tour.

Jon Kimura Parker, one of Canada’Äôs best known and most popular pianists, guarantees a definitive interpretation of Tchaikovsky’Äôs iconic Concerto for Piano No. 1 in all its romantic ardour. Maestro Zukerman will also lead the Orchestra in the soaring melodies of Tchaikovsky’Äôs Symphony No. 5.

There are free pre-concert talks at 7 p.m. both nights with William Littler, music columnist of the Toronto Star, hosted by Jill LaForty, Radio Music Producer of CBC Radio entitled ’ÄúTchaikovsky, the Loved and Hated’Äù.

The NAC Orchestra musicians are joined by the five participants in the 2008-09 NAC Institute of Orchestral Studies. These apprentices have been selected by audition to rehearse, perform and be mentored by the NAC Orchestra musicians during five separate weeks throughout the season. They will join the Orchestra on tour for performances in five of the cities where the NAC Orchestra performs.

Concertgoers are invited to remain in Southam Hall after the concerts on October 21 and 22 for a post-concert talkback during which Jon Kimura Parker will interview the IOS apprentices.

Follow the NAC Orchestra’Äôs Western Canada Tour online at www.NACOtour.ca where there are tour blogs, audio clips, a photo gallery, and more.

The National Arts Centre Foundation gratefully acknowledges support for the Western Canada Tour from Presenting Partner EnCana, Signature Education Partner Agrium, and the NAC Friends, a generous group of supporters including True Energy Trust and SaskTel and a number of individual donors who have made the Western Canada Tour possible.

The extraordinary career of internationally acclaimed pianist Jon Kimura Parker has taken him from Carnegie Hall and London’Äôs Royal Festival Hall to Baffin Island and Zimbabwe. In recent seasons, he has performed as guest soloist with the New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Warsaw Philharmonic and the NHK Tokyo Orchestra.

Jon Kimura Parker has a long history with the National Arts Centre Orchestra including a 1998 tour in Canada and a 1996 tour in the Eastern U.S. This season, he is the NAC Orchestra’Äôs first artist-in-residence appearing in concert and in recital, and playing an integral role in education outreach. The Vancouver-born musician is an Officer of The Order of Canada, this country’Äôs highest civilian honour.

Tickets for these Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts on Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 with box seats at $86.00 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC’Äôs website at www.nac-cna.ca.

Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card. Live Rush tickets (subject to availability) for full-time students (aged 13 to 29) are $11 at the NAC Box Office from 2 p.m. the day before the concert to 6 p.m. the day of, upon presentation of a valid Live Rush card.

Groups of 10 and more save 15% to 20% off the regular price of tickets to NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances. To reserve your seats call 613-947-7000 ext. 384 or email grp@nac-cna.ca.