National Arts Centre Orchestra
| National Arts Centre Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
 | |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Concert hall | National Arts Centre Southam Hall |
| Principal conductor | Pinchas Zuckerman |
| Website |
NAC-CNA |
The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is a Canadian orchestra based in Ottawa, Ontario. The NACO is based at the eponymous National Arts Centre, and also tours throughout Canada and around the world. The NACO also broadcasts nationally on CBC Radio on shows such as In Performance, Studio Sparks, Symphony Hall and Tempo.
History
The NAC Orchestra was founded in 1969 as the resident orchestra of the newly opened National Arts Centre, with Jean-Marie Beaudet as Music Director and Mario Bernardi as founding conductor. Bernardi became Music Director in 1971 and held the post until 1982. Beaudet and Bernardi are the only Canadian conductors to be appointed Music Director of the NACO. Bernardi was named Conductor Laureate in 1997. Subsequent NACO music directors have included Franco Mannino (1982 to 1987), Gabriel Chmura (1987 to 1990), and Trevor Pinnock (1991-1997). Since 1999,[1] Pinchas Zukerman has served as the NACO's Music Director. He is scheduled to conclude his NACO tenure in 2015.[2]
Franz-Paul Decker was Principal Guest Conductor from 1991 to 1999. In 2001, Jean-Philippe Tremblay becamse the NACO's Apprentice Conductor, a then newly created post, for a two-year term.
The Orchestra has visited 112 cities in Canada and 122 cities internationally in its 38-year history, including a 1999 coast-to-coast Canada Tour. The NACO undertook first international tour in 1973 to Europe.
It was announced on October 30, 2013 that Alexander Shelley will be taking over from Pinchas Zukerman in 2015, as Music Director.[3]
Recordings
The NAC Orchestra has 40 recordings, six with Pinchas Zukerman: Haydn, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Schubert and two of Mozart (a CD of flute quartets, and a CD of orchestral music and string quintets). The commissioning of original Canadian works has been an important part of the National Arts Centre's mandate, with over 50 works commissioned to date.
An all-Mozart double CD was released in 2003 featuring both orchestral and chamber music with Pinchas Zukerman as conductor and violin soloist. A CBC Records chamber music CD of Mozart Flute Quartets featuring principal flutist Joanna G'froerer, guest violinist Martin Beaver, Pinchas Zukerman on viola, and principal cellist Amanda Forsyth was named best Canadian chamber music recording of 2001 by Opus Magazine.
Music Directors
- Jean-Marie Beaudet (1969-1971)
- Mario Bernardi (1971-1982)
- Franco Mannino (1982-1987)
- Gabriel Chmura (1987-1990)
- Trevor Pinnock (1991-1997)
- Pinchas Zukerman (1999–present)
- Alexander Shelley (Music Director-designate 2015-)[4]
References
- ↑ "World renowned violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman announces he will step down as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 2015" (Press release). National Arts Centre. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- ↑ Mark Brownlee (2012-03-06). "The maestro steps down". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- ↑ "Canada’s National Arts Centre announces Alexander Shelley as its Music Director-designate Renowned conductor to lead NAC Orchestra in 2015-2016". NAC. October 30, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ↑ http://nac-cna.ca/en/stories/story/alexander-shelley-appointed-music-director-designate-for-the-nac-orchestra