Louis Lortie performs Chopin led by Thomas Sˆ½ndergˆ€rd making North American debut

Canadian pianist Louis Lortie performs Chopin with NAC Orchestra led by Thomas Sˆ½ndergˆ€rd in his North American debut on December 11 and 12

Ottawa (Canada) ’Äì Louis Lortie, ’Äú’Ķone of perhaps half a dozen pianists who it is worth dropping everything to go and hear,’Äù according to London’Äôs Daily Telegraph, performs Chopin’Äôs Piano Concerto No. 1 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, December 11 and Friday, December 12 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’Äôs Southam Hall. The NAC Orchestra will be led by Danish rising star conductor Thomas Sˆ½ndergˆ€rd who is making his North American debut with these concerts. The program opens with Concerto for Orchestra, a fresh creation by Canadian composer Ana Sokolovic which she says was inspired by Beethoven and Rossini. The lyric intensity of Sibelius’Äôs Symphony No. 5, written as part of the composer’Äôs 50^th birthday celebrations, concludes the evening.

There will be Musically Speaking Pre-Concert Chats titled ’ÄúChopin ou le maˆÆtre de la petite forme’Äù offered in French both nights at 7 p.m. by music critic Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer.

’ÄúIt was pure, elegantly informed passion that drove the performance. ’Ķ an exquisite presentation. ’ĶThanks to Lortie, [it] was a night to remember.’Äù Daytona Beach News Journal

Canadian pianist Louis Lortie has been praised for the fresh perspective and individuality he brings to a deliberately broad spectrum of the keyboard canon. He is known for his interpretation of Chopin, Ravel and Beethoven and often performs major contemporary works. He has performed under the baton of conductors Kurt Masur, Seiji Ozawa, and Charles Dutoit, to name just a few. In May, 2008, Mr. Lortie concluded his multi-year project to play and conduct all 27 Mozart Piano Concertos. This season he presents Death in Venice for the first time at the Orford Festival, a special recital with film of the canals, the paintings and the reflections of Venice. Mr. Lortie has made over 30 recordings on the Chandos label, ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky. As his schedule permits, he teaches at Italy’Äôs renowned piano institute at Imola.

Conductor Thomas Sˆ½ndergˆ€rd, born in 1969, was described as ’Äòa sensation’Äô when he made his debut with the Royal Danish Opera in 2005 and is widely regarded as one of the very best young Danish conductors. He has now conducted all the Danish orchestras and has premiered many new Scandinavian works. Notable recent debuts have included CBSO, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo, Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, all of which resulted in immediate re-invitations. Concert plans for the current season and beyond include debuts with the Orchestre Mˆ©tropolitain du Grand Montrˆ©al and the Northern Sinfonia, as well as return visits to the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, Radio Philharmonie Saarbrˆºcken and many Scandinavian orchestras.

Tickets for these Bostonian Bravo Series concerts on Thursday, December 11 and Friday, December 12 at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $49.00, $59.00, $69.00 and $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.