LSM Newswire

Monday, February 2, 2009

NAC, Feb. 10: Radu Lupu gives a solo piano recital of Beethoven and Schubert


The phenomenal Radu Lupu gives a solo piano recital of Beethoven and Schubert at the NAC on Feb. 10

Ottawa, Canada – A true colossus in the world of music, the Romanian virtuoso Radu Lupu will perform three piano sonatas by Beethoven including the monumental “Pathétique”, and one Schubert Sonata in the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall on Tuesday, February 10 at 8 p.m. This solo piano recital opens the 2008-09 season of the Bombardier Great Performers Series.

Of Beethoven’s vast output of 32 piano sonatas, a genre that occupied the composer throughout his entire creative life, the Pathétique Sonata No. 8 in C minor is the most exalted of all both in popular acclaim and historical import. The word “pathétique” meant “moved by strong passions,” an apt title for this emotionally powerful work composed on the threshold of the age of musical Romanticism. Beethoven’s two Op. 14 Sonatas (Nos. 9 and 10) reveal the composer in a relaxed, genial mood, and are filled with charm, elegance and intimacy.

In the second half of the recital, Radu Lupu will perform Schubert’s Sonata in B-flat major. Like Beethoven, Schubert wrote piano sonatas throughout his lifetime, and this one is considered to one of the greatest works (many claim the greatest) in this genre.

Radu Lupu is firmly established as one of the most important musicians of his generation and is widely acknowledged as a leading interpreter of the works of Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert. The pianist won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance for his London/Decca recording the Schubert B-flat major Sonata which he is performing on this concert. His discography also includes a recording of Beethoven’s “Pathétique” Sonata as well as complete Beethoven concertos with the Israel Philharmonic and Zubin Mehta.

First Prize winner in the 1966 Van Cliburn, the 1967 Enescu International and the 1969 Leeds International competitions, Radu Lupu has regularly performed as soloist and recitalist in the musical capitals and major festivals of Europe and the United States. He has appeared many times with the Berlin Philharmonic and with the Vienna Philharmonici. He is also a frequent visitor to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and all of the major London orchestras. This season, his annual winter tour will include concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Montreal Symphony. His European orchestral engagements include the Berlin Staatskapelle, Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Zurich Tonhalle, as well as recitals in Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, and Stockholm.

Radu Lupu has performed at the NAC several times, both in recital and as soloist with the NAC Orchestra. His most recent recitals were in 2006 and 1999.

Tickets for this Bombardier Great Performers recital featuring Radu Lupu on February 10 are on sale now at $19.00, $39.00, $45.00, $49.00, $59.00 and $69.00 (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’s web-site 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

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