NACO, Feb 11-12: Sarah Chang and Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

Sarah Chang performs the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the NAC Orchestra led by Roberto Minczuk on Feb. 11-12

Ottawa (Canada) ’Äì One of the most remarkable prodigies of any generation, Sarah Chang has matured into a young artist whose musical insight, technical virtuosity, and emotional range continue to astonish. The soloist returns to perform Mendelssohn’Äôs Violin Concerto with the National Arts Centre Orchestra led by Roberto Minczuk on Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12 at 8 p.m. in the NAC’Äôs Southam Hall. These Ovation Series concerts include a suite from Mendelssohn’Äôs A Midsummer Night’Äôs Dream and Beethoven’Äôs fresh, energetic, whimsical Fourth Symphony.

Audiences are invited to stay in Southam Hall after both concerts to chat with Sarah Chang in a Musically Speaking Talkback hosted by CBC Radio National Music Producer Jill LaForty.

On Thursday, February 12 (one night only), there is also a free ’ÄúMusically Speaking’Äù pre-concert exploration of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto as explained by violin teacher William van der Sloot of Calgary’Äôs Mount Royal College Conservatory and demonstrated by young violinist Shanshan Yao accompanied by pianist Jean Desmarais. This entertaining and informative lecture-demonstration, hosted by Michel Dozois, is free. (Shanshan Yao will also perform a one-hour Debut Series recital at 12 noon on February 12 in the NAC Salon.)

Sarah Chang has this to say about the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto: ’ÄúI first learned the Mendelssohn Concerto when I was 7 years old and a student at The Juilliard School. I remember falling in love with it immediately! It’Äôs a jewel of a concerto, loaded with virtuosic elements and challenges but also filled with some of the most beautiful, soaring melodies ever written. I recorded it when I was 16 with the Berlin Philharmonic and Mariss Jansons, and throughout the years it has been a constant staple in my repertoire.’Äù

Born in Philadelphia to Korean parents, Sarah Chang began her violin studies at age 4. Her early auditions, at age 8, for Zubin Mehta and Riccardo Muti led to immediate engagements with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Sarah Chang made a sensational debut with the NAC Orchestra in 1992 at age 12 playing Paganini’Äôs Violin Concerto No. 1. She has reached a wide audience through her many television appearances, concert broadcasts, and best-selling recordings for EMI Classics, for which she records exclusively. Her latest release, the widely lauded Vivaldi Four Seasons with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, has reached the Billboard charts in the US and continues to top the best selling charts internationally. Her most recent appearance at the NAC was in 2002 when she performed the Brahms Violin Concerto.

Tickets for these concerts with violinist Sarah Chang and conductor Roberto Minczuk on Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 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 http://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.