LSM Newswire

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Orchestre Symphonique de Laval-Anton Kuerti-concert du mercredi 30 septembre

Beethoven, TchaˆØkovsky et Anton Kuerti
Pour un concert d'ouverture magistral!
Le mercredi 30 septembre ˆÝ 20 h

Laval’Äì L'Orchestre symphonique de Laval inaugure avec faste sa 24e saison en prˆ©sentant le Concerto pour piano et orchestre no 5 en mi bˆ©mol majeur, op. 73, de Beethoven et une ‰ìuvre choisie par le public, l'imposante Symphonie no 5 en mi mineur, op. 54, de TchaˆØkovsky. Cette ‰ìuvre a ˆ©tˆ© dˆ©signˆ©e, au printemps 2009, comme le ¬´ Coup de c‰ìur ¬ª du public dans le cadre d'un sondage visant ˆÝ connaˆÆtre la piˆ®ce que l'auditoire aimerait entendre lors du premier concert de la saison 2009-2010. Chose promise, chose due! Le public de l'OSL aura non seulement la chance d'entendre cette ‰ìuvre grandiose, mais aussi le privilˆ®ge d'une rencontre avec Anton Kuerti, celui que le Fanfare Magazine considˆ®re comme le plus grand pianiste vivant! Ce grand concert sera prˆ©sentˆ© le mercredi 30 septembre ˆÝ 20 h, ˆÝ la salle Andrˆ©-Mathieu de Laval. Alain Trudel vous donne rendez-vous pour sa confˆ©rence d'avant-concert dˆ®s 19 h 15.

Anton Kuerti

Le pianiste Anton Kuerti est nˆ© en Autriche, a grandi aux ˆâtats-Unis et a vˆ©cu la majeure partie de sa vie adulte au Canada. Jeune surdouˆ©, il n'a que 11 ans lorsqu'il interprˆ®te le Concerto de Grieg avec Arthur Fiedler, et il est encore aux ˆ©tudes lorsqu'il remporte le prestigieux et convoitˆ© Prix Leventritt. Anton Kuerti a jouˆ© dans 39 pays, dont le Japon et la Russie, ainsi que dans la plupart des pays europˆ©ens. Il s'est ˆ©galement produit avec les principaux orchestres et chefs d'orchestre des ˆâtats-Unis. Son vaste rˆ©pertoire compte quelque 50 concertos, dont l'une de ses propres compositions, et il est l'un des artistes contemporains ayant rˆ©alisˆ© le plus d'enregistrements, dont l'intˆ©grale des concertos et sonates de Beethoven. Au Canada, Anton Kuerti s'est produit avec tous les orchestres professionnels et devant 140 communautˆ©s, d'un ocˆ©an ˆÝ l'autre. Il a, entre autres, donnˆ© 39 concerts avec l'Orchestre symphonique de Toronto. Anton Kuerti a, de plus, participˆ© ˆÝ de nombreux festivals importants et a dˆ©montrˆ©, ˆÝ plusieurs occasions, une endurance remarquable en interprˆ©tant les cinq concertos de Beethoven et la Fantaisie chorale, ou les cinq derniˆ®res sonates pour piano de Beethoven, en un seul long concert. ˆÄ titre de chambriste, il a collaborˆ© avec certains des plus influents artistes de la scˆ®ne internationale, tels Gidon Kremer, Yo-Yo Ma, Janos Starker et avec les quatuors Cleveland, Guarneri, Saint-Laurent et Tokyo.

Officier de l'Ordre du Canada, il a reˆßu de nombreux doctorats honorifiques et, en 2008, le Prix du Gouverneur gˆ©nˆ©ral, le plus grand honneur qui puisse ˆ�tre dˆ©cernˆ© ˆÝ un artiste canadien des arts de la scˆ®ne. ˆÄ noter qu'Anton Kuerti est ˆ©galement professeur, compositeur, organisateur de concerts et directeur artistique.

AU PROGRAMME

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Concerto pour piano et orchestre no 5 en mi bˆ©mol majeur, op. 73, ¬´ Empereur ¬ª, 1809
Soliste : Anton Kuerti

C'est en 1792 que Beethoven arrive ˆÝ Vienne pour y ˆ©tudier la composition auprˆ®s de grands maˆÆtres. Ville de musique, s'il en est une en cette fin du XV111e siˆ®cle, Beethoven ne tarde pas ˆÝ se faire un nom, et l'aristocratie, ˆ©prise de musique, se presse ˆÝ ses concerts. Dˆ®s lors, les portes des grandes familles viennoises s'ouvrent devant lui et son avenir de musicien semble assurˆ©. Quelques annˆ©es plus tard cependant, en 1800, des symptˆ¥mes inquiˆ©tants se manifestent au point qu'ils ne peuvent plus ˆ�tre ignorˆ©s : Beethoven devient sourd. Le musicien est dˆ©vastˆ© et envisage un moment de se suicider. Il rˆ©dige alors le cˆ©lˆ®bre Testament d'Heiligenstad dans lequel il confie son dˆ©sespoir. Reprenant ses esprits, il transformera ce mˆ©chant coup du sort en destin : il sera compositeur coˆªte que coˆªte. Le Concerto no 5 a ˆ©tˆ© composˆ© au cours de l'annˆ©e 1809, au moment oˆ¼ les troupes de Napolˆ©on assiˆ®gent Vienne. Au mois d'octobre, la signature du traitˆ© de paix de Vienne permet ˆÝ Beethoven d'achever l'ˆ©criture de la partition dˆ©laissˆ©e durant les bombardements. L'‰ìuvre est dˆ©diˆ©e ˆÝ l'archiduc Rodolphe, fils de l'empereur Lˆ©opold II d'Autriche et protecteur du musicien. Le concerto a ˆ©tˆ© crˆ©ˆ© le 28 novembre 1810 ˆÝ Leipzig par l'orchestre du Gewandhaus. La surditˆ© du compositeur ˆ©tant trop avancˆ©e, la partie du soliste est alors interprˆ©tˆ©e par le pianiste Friedrich Schneider. Partisan des idˆ©es de la Rˆ©volution franˆßaise, Beethoven a profondˆ©ment incarnˆ© ces principes dans sa musique. Dans son ultime concerto pour piano, il n'est pas exagˆ©rˆ© de dire que le soliste dialogue avec toute la masse sonore de l'orchestre en toute libertˆ©, ˆ©galitˆ© et fraternitˆ©.

ENTRACTE

Piotr Ilyitch TchaˆØkovsky (1840-1893)
Symphonie no 5 en mi mineur, op. 54, 1888

Musicien indˆ©niablement russe, TchaˆØkovsky n'en est pas moins influencˆ© par la forme et les techniques de composition occidentales. Curieux, ˆ©clectique, il touche ˆÝ tous les genres musicaux avec beaucoup de succˆ®s : opˆ©ra, concerto, musique de chambre. En 1876, il compose le Lac des cygnes et crˆ©e ainsi le ballet symphonique. TchaˆØkovsky a ˆ©crit six symphonies auxquelles on se doit d'ajouter Manfred, cette autre symphonie, bien qu'elle n'en porte pas le titre. Si les trois premiˆ®res symphonies s'avˆ®rent de facture plus classique quant ˆÝ leur inspiration, les trois derniˆ®res nous font entrer dans l'univers psychologique du compositeur et renvoient ˆÝ des idˆ©es extramusicales comme l'obsession du destin. Ce thˆ®me du fatum, que l'on entend justement ici, et ce, dˆ®s le dˆ©but du premier mouvement, traversera les quatre mouvements de l'‰ìuvre. La Symphonie no 5 fut crˆ©ˆ©e ˆÝ Saint-Pˆ©tersbourg le 5 novembre 1888, sous la direction du compositeur.

Concert : 30 septembre ˆÝ 20 h, salle Andrˆ©-Mathieu
Le concert est une prˆ©sentation de Protectron.
Les billets pour ce concert sont disponibles
En ligne : www.salleandremathieu.com
Au guichet de la salle Andrˆ©-Mathieu : 475, boul. de l'Avenir, Laval
Par tˆ©lˆ©phone, billetterie de la salle Andrˆ©-Mathieu : (450) 667-2040
Via le Rˆ©seau admission : (514) 790-1245

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Thursday, September 17, 2009

The NAC Orchestra launches its 09-10 season with Romantic Revolution Festival led by Music Director Pinchas Zukerman, including guest artists Gil Shah

Ottawa, Canada ’Äì Pinchas Zukerman opens the National Arts Centre Orchestra’Äôs 40th anniversary season with the Romantic Revolution Festival from Wednesday, September 23 to Thursday, October 1 with guest stars including violinist Gil Shaham, pianists Angela Cheng, Katherine Chi and Anton Kuerti, and cellist Lynn Harrell. Over the course of five magnificent concerts on September 23, 24, 25, 30 and October 1 ’Äì four led by Pinchas Zukerman and one by Jean-Marie Zeitouni ’Äì the Festival explores the pivotal period in artistic and musical history that marked the emergence of Romanticism. Audiences will hear the first tentative strains of Romanticism in the music of Haydn (including his Cello Concerto performed by Lynn Harrell) and in Mozart’Äôs later piano concertos (performed by Angela Cheng and Katherine Chi). They will hear it flourish in the glorious passages of Beethoven’Äôs Eroica Symphony and Concerto for Violin (the latter performed and conducted by Pinchas Zukerman) and Mendelssohn’Äôs Violin Concerto (performed by Gil Shaham) and in the anguished harmonies of Schubert’Äôs Unfinished Symphony; and reach full power in the Symphony No. 4 by Schumann (Romantic composer par excellence) and the heart-wrenching Prelude to Act III of Verdi’Äôs La Traviata. (A chronological listing of concerts follows.)

Each concert opens with a capella musical selections sung by the
Cantata Singers of Ottawa led by director Michael Zaugg.

The Festival includes ’ÄúMusically Speaking’Äù talks at 7 p.m. given by media and musical celebrities prior to the concerts on September 23, 24, and 25, and October 1. The first two are in French: ’ÄúL’ÄôArt de composer un programme’Äù with musicologist Carol Bergeron on Sept. 23; ’ÄúLes Beautˆ©s de l’Äôinachˆ®vement : la Huitiˆ®me Symphonie de Schubert’Äù with Franˆßois Dompierre, composer and host, Radio-Canada, Espace musique on Sept. 24. The second two are in English: ’ÄúSchumann’Äôs Revision Quest: a journey from brainstorm to score’Äù with CBC Radio Executive Producer Jill LaForty interviewing CBC Music Producer David Houston on Sept. 25; and ’ÄúBeethoven Lite’Äù with writer and broadcaster Eric Friesen on Oct. 1. The Oct. 1 concert also includes a Post-Concert Talkback with Eric Friesen interviewing Pinchas Zukerman following the latter’Äôs performance of the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

The Sept. 30 concert is a detailed exploration of Mozart’Äôs Final Piano Concerto beginning with a ’ÄúBeyond the Score¬Æ’Äù multi-media exploration of Mozart’Äôs life and times featuring narrator Bill Richardson (of CBC Radio), Ottawa actor Pierre Brault, soprano Donna Brown and pianist Katherine Chi, with the NAC Orchestra performing musical excerpts. In the second half Katherine Chi and the NAC Orchestra led by Jean-Marie Zeitouni perform the concerto in its entirety. ’ÄúBeyond the Score¬Æ’Äù is a presentation of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for the Romantic Revolution Festival in the NAC’Äôs Southam Hall at 8 p.m. are on sale now at $19, $29, $39.50, $50, $60, $70 and $87.50 at the newly renovated 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.

COMPLETE ROMANTIC REVOLUTION FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING

Beethoven’Äôs ’ÄúEroica’Äù Wednesday, September 23 at 8 p.m.
Mark Motors Audi Signature Series
Pinchas Zukerman, conductor; Gil Shaham, violin; Cantata Singers of Ottawa; Michael Zaugg, chorus master

Cantata Singers a capella prelude:
BRAHMS Fˆºnf ernste Gesˆ§nge, Op. 104

NAC Orchestra:
MALCOLM FORSYTH Jubilee Overture
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 ’ÄúEroica’Äù

Beethoven’Äôs ’ÄúEroica’Äù marks the turning point from Classicism to Romanticism with its extraordinary scope, bold harmonies, and drama. And its title? Originally dedicated to Napoleon, Beethoven angrily changed his dedication to ’ÄúSinfonia Eroica, Composed to Celebrate the Memory of a Great Man,’Äù after Napoleon declared himself Emperor. Gil Shaham, recent winner of the coveted Avery Fisher Prize and multiple Grammys, dazzles with lustrous tone and brilliant technique in Mendelssohn’Äôs jewel of a violin concerto.

Musically Speaking: Pre-Concert Chat at 7 p.m. (in French)
’ÄúL’ÄôArt de composer un programme’Äù with musicologist Carol Bergeron

Wednesday Mark Motors Audi Signature Series subscribers will attend this concert, and Thursday Signature Series subscribers will attend the Thursday, October 1 concert.

***

The Radiance of Mozart Thursday, September 24, 2009
Ovation Series
Pinchas Zukerman, conductor; Angela Cheng, piano; Arianna Zukerman, soprano; Cantata Singers of Ottawa; Michael Zaugg, director

Cantata Singers a capella prelude:
FANNY HENSEL-MENDELSSOHN Gartenlieder, Op. 3: Im Wald; Hˆ�rst Du nicht die Bˆ§ume rauschen
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Sechs Lieder im Freien zu singen: I. Herbstlied
FANNY HENSEL-MENDELSSOHN Gartenlieder, Op. 3: Abendlich schon rauscht der Wald

NAC Orchestra:
VERDI Prelude to Act III of La Traviata
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8 ’ÄúUnfinished’Äù
MOZART Aria: ’ÄúCh’Äôio mi scordi di te’Äù
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21 ’ÄúElvira Madigan’Äù

Critically acclaimed Angela Cheng, known for her spot-on Mozart interpretations, is the soloist for his 21st Piano Concerto, which took its nickname from the radiant second movement heard in the film Elvira Madigan. Arianna Zukerman’Äôs shimmering voice reveals the beauty of Mozart’Äôs farewell gift to an admired soprano. Plus Schubert’Äôs most famous ’Äì and mysteriously abandoned ’Äì symphony, the ’ÄúUnfinished.’Äù

Musically Speaking: Pre-Concert Chat at 7 p.m. (in French)
’ÄúLes Beautˆ©s de l’Äôinachˆ®vement : la Huitiˆ®me Symphonie de Schubert’Äù with Franˆßois Dompierre, composer and host, Radio-Canada, Espace musique

Thursday Ovation Series subscribers will attend this concert, and Wednesday Ovation Series subscribers will attend the Friday, September 25 concert.

***

Lynn Harrell & a Haydn Classic Friday, September 25, 2009
Ovation Series
Pinchas Zukerman, conductor; Lynn Harrell, cello; Cantata Singers of Ottawa; Michael Zaugg, director

Cantata Singers a capella prelude:
SCHUMANN Vier doppelchorige Gesange: Ungewisses Licht
SCHUBERT Die Nacht, Op. 17
BRAHMS Nun stehn die Rosen in Blˆºte
SCHUMANN Vier doppelchˆ�rigie Gesˆ§nge: Talismane

NAC Orchestra:
BACH Suite for solo cello
HAYDN Cello Concerto in C major
SCHUMANN Symphony No. 4

Schumann gave his wife the Fourth Symphony as a special gift: it celebrated her 22nd birthday, their first wedding anniversary, and the christening of their first child, and even included a musical portrait of her. Lynn Harrell’Äôs appealing way of reaching out to an audience has captured rapt listeners not only at the world’Äôs famed concert halls, but also at the Grammys, where showbiz glitterati marveled at his artistry.

Musically Speaking: Pre-Concert Chat at 7 p.m. (in English) ’ÄúSchumann’Äôs Revision Quest: a journey from brainstorm to score’Äù
CBC Radio Executive Producer Jill LaForty interviews CBC Music Producer David Houston

Wednesday Ovation Series subscribers will attend this concert, and Thursday Ovation Series subscribers will attend the Thursday, September 24 concert.

***

Mozart’Äôs Final Piano Concerto *Beyond the Score¬Æ Wednesday, September 30, 2009
National Arts Centre Orchestra; Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor; Katherine Chi, piano; Donna Brown, soprano; Bill Richardson, narrator; Pierre Brault, actor

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 27

Join the NAC Orchestra and conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni, with stellar soloists, actor Pierre Brault and narrator Bill Richardson to explore the history of Mozart’Äôs music. The first half of this program includes projected images, musical examples performed by the NAC Orchestra and soloists, and theatrical narration; the second half features a performance of Mozart’Äôs Piano Concerto No. 27 in its entirety.

English narration with French surtitles

This concert is part of the Romantic Revolution Festival.

* Beyond the Score is produced by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

***

Pinchas Plays Beethoven Thursday, October 1, 2009
Mark Motors Audi Signature Series
Pinchas Zukerman, conductor and violin; Anton Kuerti, piano; Combined Ottawa Choruses; Duain Wolfe, chorus master

Cantata Singers a capella prelude:
FRIEDRICH SILCHER ˆÑnnchen von Tharau
MENDELSSOHN Abshied vom Walde
PETER CORNELIUS Der Traum
BRAHMS Abschiedslied

Mozart’Äôs Piano Concerto No. 27
BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture
BEETHOVEN Choral Fantasy
BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto

Beethoven’Äôs notoriously difficult masterpiece, sometimes dubbed ’Äúthe Mount Everest of violin concertos,’Äù has near sacred status, testing the mettle of performers. What makes this evening even more extraordinary is that Pinchas Zukerman is not only the soloist but also conducts. Rounding out this all-Beethoven concert is a dramatic overture and the stately Choral Fantasy that, in tone and melody, foreshadows the ’ÄúOde to Joy’Äù of the Ninth Symphony.

Musically Speaking: Pre-Concert Chat at 7 p.m. (in English)
’ÄúBeethoven Lite’Äù with writer and broadcaster Eric Friesen

Musically Speaking: Post-Concert Talkback
Writer and broadcaster Eric Friesen interviews Pinchas Zukerman, Music Director of the NAC Orchestra

Thursday Mark Motors Audi Signature Series subscribers will attend this concert, and Wednesday Signature Series subscribers will attend the Wednesday, September 23 concert.

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