NACO, March 25-26: Yefim Bronfman plays Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3

Yefim Bronfman tackles the formidable Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 led by Pinchas Zukerman on March 25-26

Ottawa (Canada) ’Äì The knuckle-busting Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3, an incredible unleashing of notes from beginning to jaw-dropping end, demands virtuoso piano technique which soloist Yefim Bronfman has in spades! Bronfman will tackle the ’ÄúRach 3’Äù (made infamous in the Oscar-winning movie Shine) in Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’Äôs Southam Hall.

The programme opens with Weber’Äôs evocative Oberon Overture, followed by Le bourgeois gentilhomme Suite, Richard Strauss’Äôs clever musical adaptation of Moliˆ®re’Äôs classic comedy.

There are two ’ÄúMusically Speaking’Äù activities connected to these concerts. There will be a Pre-Concert Chat in French both nights at 7 p.m. titled ’ÄúRomantique ˆ©garˆ© au vingtiˆ®me siˆ®cle’Äù ’Äì a discussion with music critic Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer led by NAC Artistic Attachˆ© Paul Lefebvre.

Then after each concert, audience members are invited to stay for a Post-Concert Talkback with conductor Pinchas Zukerman and piano soloist Yefim Bronfman hosted by Paul Lefebvre.

Sergei Rachmaninov was 6’Äô6’Äù tall with a hand span of 12 inches, which perhaps help explain why the New York Herald wrote that the Third Piano Concerto’Äôs ’Äúgreat length and extreme difficulties bar it from performances by any but pianists of exceptional technical powers.’Äù

Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists performing today. His commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide, whether for his solo recitals, his prestigious orchestral engagements or his rapidly growing catalogue of recordings. As an ’ÄúOn Location’Äù Artist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the 2008-09 season, is performing orchestral and chamber music in LA as well as a tour of the Far East. Other highlights of this season include a duo recital tour with Emanuel Ax and a solo recital tour traversing the US and Europe. Bronfman debuted with the NAC Orchestra in 1988 and his most recent appearance was in June 2008 playing Mozart’Äôs Piano concerto K. 482. He won a Grammy award in 1997 for his recording of the three Bartˆ„k Piano Concertos with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Tickets for these Mark Motors Audi Signature Series concerts with pianist Yefim Bronfman, conductor Pinchas Zukerman and the NAC Orchestra on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 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.