Bruce Liu Plays Rachmaninoff

Start: 2022-09-09T20:00:00-04:00
End: 2022-09-09T22:00:00-04:00
Location: Southam Hall

NACO Live

https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/30528

In-person event

Less than a year after his resounding First Prize win at the internationally prestigious Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Montreal pianist Bruce Liu makes his debut with the NAC Orchestra in our season opener, bringing one of Rachmaninoff’s most popular and romantic works to Southam Hall. Joyful, playful, and just plain fun: this is Rachmaninoff’s delightful Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Two contrasting works by Richard Strauss bookend the concert, one full of...

September 8 - 9, 2022

Southam Hall 1 Elgin Street Ottawa Canada

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Bruce Liu Plays Rachmaninoff

Sep 8 - 9, 2022

Southam Hall

nac-sc-bruce-liu-plays-rachmaninoff-green — Bruce Liu © Darek Golik

Music Classical music Masterworks Piano

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RICHARD STRAUSS Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks
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Sergei Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
DINUK WIJERATNE Polyphonic Lively
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RICHARD STRAUSS Suite from Der Rosenkavalier

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In-person event
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Less than a year after his resounding First Prize win at the internationally prestigious Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Montreal pianist Bruce Liu makes his debut with the NAC Orchestra in our season opener, bringing one of Rachmaninoff’s most popular and romantic works to Southam Hall. Joyful, playful, and just plain fun: this is Rachmaninoff’s delightful Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Two contrasting works by Richard Strauss bookend the concert, one full of comic delight and the other filled with some of music’s most tender and heartbreaking passages. First, the composer’s lively and comical Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks recounts the misadventures of an irrepressible peasant folk hero who exposes the constant skirmishes between the forces of repression and the lust for freedom. About the work, Strauss said, “I only wanted to give the people in the concert hall a good laugh for once.”

The sublime beauty of Strauss’s Suite from his opera Der Rosenkavalier, travels in a contrasting but equally rewarding direction, evoking both the wonder and turbulence in the struggles of love.

Canadian composer Dinuk Wijeratne was inspired to write his Polyphonic Lively by Paul Klee’s painting of the same name. The work is a kaleidoscope of orchestral timbres (much like the vibrant colours in the Swiss-German artist’s style). Wijeratne describes his work as “character-driven—through sharp turns and decisive action, its ‘journey’ is simply what the characters make of it. Its musical fabric is a multiplicity of voices, lines, and themes that decide—on a whim—when to coalesce and coexist.”

Learn more in the program notes ›

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Conductor Alexander Shelley
Conductor Alexander Shelley

Alexander Shelley succeeded Pinchas Zukerman as Music Director of Canada’s NAC Orchestra in September 2015. The ensemble has since been praised as being “transformed... hungry, bold, and unleashed” (Ottawa Citizen) and Shelley’s programming credited for turning the orchestra into “one of the more audacious in North America” (Maclean’s).

Shelley is a champion of Canadian creation; recent hallmarks include the multimedia projects Life Reflected and UNDISRUPTED,and three major new ballets in partnership with NAC Dance for Encount3rs. He is passionate about arts education and nurturing the next generation of musicians. He is an Ambassador for Ottawa’s OrKidstra, a charitable social development program that teaches children life skills through making music together.

Alexander Shelley is also the Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and, starting with the 2024–2025 season, Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida, USA. In the spring of 2019, he led the NAC Orchestra on its critically acclaimed 50th Anniversary European tour, and in 2017, he led the Orchestra in a tour across Canada, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. Most recently, he led the Orchestra in its first performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 30 years.

He has made eight recordings with the NAC Orchestra, including the JUNO-nominated New Worlds, Life Reflected, ENCOUNT3RS, The Bounds of Our Dreams, and the acclaimed Clara, Robert, Johannes four-album series, all with Canadian label Analekta.

The Music Director role is supported by Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, C.M., O.N.L., LL.D. (hc)

Alexander Shelley a reçu le titre de directeur musical de l’Orchestre du CNA en septembre 2015. Depuis, l’ensemble a été qualifié de « transformé », « passionné », « ambitieux » et « déchaîné » (Ottawa Citizen), et classé parmi les plus audacieux en Amérique du Nord (magazine Maclean’s) pour sa programmation.

Champion de la création au Canada, Shelley a signé récemment le projet multimédia Réflexions sur la vie, INCONDITIONNEL et RENCONTR3S, une collaboration avec Danse CNA comportant trois nouveaux ballets d’envergure.

Shelley s’attache à cultiver les talents de la relève : il est notamment un ambassadeur d’OrKidstra, un programme de développement social qui, à travers la musique, aide les jeunes d’Ottawa à acquérir des compétences essentielles.

Alexander Shelley est également premier chef d’orchestre associé du Royal Philharmonic Orchestra de Londres, et, à partir de la saison 2024-2025, directeur artistique et musical d’Artis-Naples et de l’Orchestre philharmonique de Naples en Floride (États-Unis). Il a dirigé l’Orchestre du CNA au printemps 2019 à l’occasion d’une tournée européenne très applaudie soulignant le 50^e anniversaire de l’ensemble et, en 2017, dans le cadre d’une tournée aux quatre coins du Canada pour célébrer le 150^e anniversaire du pays. Plus récemment, l’Orchestre a donné, sous sa baguette, son premier concert en 30 ans au Carnegie Hall de New York.

Shelley a fait paraître huit enregistrements avec l’Orchestre du CNA, dont Nouveaux Mondes (finaliste aux prix JUNO), Réflexions sur la vie, RENCONTR3S, Aux frontières de nos rêves, ainsi que la série louangée par la critique de quatre albums Clara, Robert, Johannes, tous parus sous l'étiquette canadienne Analekta.

Le poste de directeur musical bénéficie du soutien d’Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, C.M., O.N.L., LL.D.  (hc).
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Piano Bruce Liu

Piano Bruce Liu

Bruce Liu was brought to the world’s attention in 2021, when he won the First Prize at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw.

Following his competition’s success, he immediately embarks on a world tour, appearing at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, Wiener Konzerthaus, BOZAR Brussels, Tokyo Opera City, Sala São Paulo, Royal Festival Hall with the Philharmonia Orchestra, U.S tour with the Warsaw Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Past highlights include performance with ensembles such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as North-America tour with the China NCPA Orchestra.

His upcoming highlights include debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, European tour with Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Wiener Symphoniker at Musikverein, festival appearances at la Roque d’Anthéron, Klavier-Festival Ruhr, Rheingau, Edinburgh, Chopin and his Europe, Duszniki, and Gstaad Menuhin.

An exclusive recording artist with Deutsche Grammophon, his first album featuring the winning performances from the Chopin Competition won a Fryderyk Award and received international acclaim including both the Critics’ choice and Editor’s choice from the Gramophone Magazine, as well as being included in its list of Best classical albums from 2021.

"What we all have in common is our difference", the young pianist likes to say. Born in Paris to Chinese parents, Bruce Liu grew up in Montreal. His life has been steeped in cultural diversity, which has shaped his differences in attitude, personality and character. He draws on various sources of inspiration for his art: European refinement, Chinese long tradition, North American dynamism and openness. Following his artist path with optimism and a smile, his teachers include Richard Raymond and Dang Thai Son.

Bruce Liu a attiré l'attention du monde entier lorsqu'il a remporté en 2021, à Varsovie, le premier prix au 18e Concours international de piano Chopin.

Suite à ce succès, le jeune pianiste entame immédiatement une tournée mondiale: Théâtre des Champs-Elysées à Paris, Konzerthaus à Vienne, BOZAR à Bruxelles, Tokyo Opera City, Sala São Paulo, Royal Festival Hall avec l'Orchestre Philharmonia, tournée aux États-Unis avec l'Orchestre philharmonique de Varsovie, l'Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, l'Orchestre symphonique national de la radio polonaise, l'Orchestre symphonique de la NHK et l'Orchestre philharmonique de Séoul. Ses performances importantes du passé comprennent celles avec l'Orchestre de Cleveland et l'Orchestre philharmonique d'Israël, ainsi qu'une tournée en Amérique du Nord avec l'Orchestre NCPA de Chine.

Ses principaux engagements à venir incluent début avec l'Orchestre philharmonique royal, tournée européenne avec l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Musikverein avec l'Orchestre symphonique de Vienne, apparitions dans des festivals tels que la Roque d'Anthéron, Klavier-Festival Ruhr, Rheingau, Edinburgh, Chopin et son Europe, Duszniki, et Gstaad Menuhin.

Artiste d'enregistrement exclusif avec Deutsche Grammophon, son premier album, mettant en vedette ses performances gagnantes au Concours Chopin, a remporté un Prix Fryderyk après avoir reçu une reconnaissance internationale y compris le Choix des Critiques et le Choix de l'Éditeur du Gramophone Magazine, et a été inclus par celui-ci dans sa liste des Meilleurs albums classiques de 2021.

"Ce que nous avons tous en commun, c'est notre différence", aime dire le jeune pianiste. Né à Paris, des parents d'origine chinoise, Bruce Liu a grandi à Montréal. Sa vie s'est imprégnée de la diversité culturelle, ce qui a façonné ses différences d'attitude, de personnalité et de caractère. Il puise dans diverses sources d'inspiration pour son art: raffinement européen, tradition millénaire chinoise, dynamisme et esprit d'ouverture nord-américains. Suivant son chemin d'artiste avec optimisme et sourire, ses professeurs incluent Richard Raymond et Dang Thai Son.

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Featuring NAC Orchestra
Featuring NAC Orchestra

Since its debut in 1969, the National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra has been praised for the passion and clarity of its performances, its visionary educational programs, and its prominent role in nurturing Canadian creativity. Under the leadership of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra reflects the fabric and values of Canada, reaching and representing the diverse communities we live in with daring programming, powerful storytelling, inspiring artistry, and innovative partnerships.

Alexander Shelley began his tenure as Music Director in 2015, following Pinchas Zukerman’s 16 seasons at the helm. Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and former Chief Conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra (2009–2017), he has been in demand around the world, conducting the Rotterdam Philharmonic, DSO Berlin, Leipzig Gewandhaus, and Stockholm Philharmonic, among others, and maintains a regular relationship with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie and the German National Youth Orchestra.

Each season, the NAC Orchestra features world-class artists such as the newly appointed Artist-in-Residence James Ehnes, Angela Hewitt, Joshua Bell, Xian Zhang, Gabriela Montero, Stewart Goodyear, Jan Lisiecki, and Principal Guest Conductor John Storgårds. As one of the most accessible, inclusive, and collaborative orchestras in the world, the NAC Orchestra uses music as a universal language to communicate the deepest of human emotions and connect people through shared experiences.

Depuis sa création en 1969, l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts (CNA) reçoit des éloges pour la passion et la clarté de ses interprétations, pour ses programmes éducatifs novateurs et pour son apport à l’expression de la créativité canadienne. Sous la direction du Directeur musical Alexander Shelley, l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts est le reflet de la diversité des paysages, des valeurs et des communautés du Canada, et est reconnu pour sa programmation audacieuse, ses contenus nrratifs marquants, son excellence artistique et ses partenariats innovants.

Alexander Shelley a amorcé son mandat à la direction musicale de l’Orchestre du CNA en 2015, succédant à Pinchas Zukerman, qui a été aux commandes de l’ensemble pendant 16 saisons. Premier chef associé du Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Shelley a été le premier chef de l’Orchestre symphonique de Nuremberg de 2009 à 2017. Demandé partout dans le monde, il a dirigé entre autres la Philharmonie de Rotterdam, DSO Berlin, le Leipzig Gewandhaus et la Philharmonie de Stockholm, et il maintient des liens avec la Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie et l’Orchestre national des jeunes d’Allemagne.

Chaque saison, l’Orchestre du met en vedette des artistes de réputation internationale, tels que notre artiste en résidence James Ehnes, Angela Hewitt, Joshua Bell, Xian Zhang, Gabriela Montero, Stewart Goodyear, Jan Lisiecki et le premier chef invité John Storgårds. L’ensemble se distingue à l’échelle du monde pour son approche accessible, inclusive et collaborative. Par le langage universel de la musique et des expériences musicales communes, il communique des émotions profondes et nous rapproche les uns des autres.
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Composer Dinuk Wijeratne
Composer Dinuk Wijeratne

Sri Lankan-born Dinuk Wijeratne is a JUNO, ECMA and SOCAN award-winning composer/conductor/pianist described as “exuberantly creative” (New York Times) and as “an artist who reflects a positive vision of our cultural future” (Toronto Star). He is a lively disrupter who crosses traditionally held musical boundaries, equally at home with symphony orchestras and string quartets, Tabla players and DJs. He has worked in international venues as poles apart as the Berlin Philharmonie and Amsterdam’s North Sea Jazz Festival.

Dinuk has twice performed in Carnegie Hall with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble and alongside tabla legend Zakir Hussain. Dinuk has also appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Opera Bastille, The Lincoln Center, Teatro Colón, and in venues in Sri Lanka, Japan, and the Middle East. He was featured as a main character in What Would Beethoven Do? – the documentary about innovation in classical music featuring Eric Whitacre, Bobby McFerrin, and Ben Zander. Dinuk has composed specially for almost all of the artists and ensembles with whom he has performed, to name a few: Suzie LeBlanc, Kinan Azmeh, David Jalbert, Sandeep Das, Ramesh Misra, Ed Hanley, Eric Vloeimans, Buck 65, the Gryphon Trio, the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, the Afiara and Cecilia String Quartets, and the symphony orchestras of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Nova Scotia, Buffalo, and KwaZulu Natal (South Africa).

Dinuk grew up in Dubai and then studied composition at the Royal Northern College of Music (U.K.). He subsequently joined the Juilliard studio of Oscar-winner composer John Corigliano. Conducting studies followed at Mannes College under David Hayes, and doctoral studies with composer Christos Hatzis at the University of Toronto.

He is the recipient of the Canada Council Jean-Marie Beaudet award for orchestral conducting; the NS Established Artist Award; NS Masterworks nominations for his Tabla Concerto and piano trio Love Triangle; double Merritt Award nominations; Juilliard, Mannes & Countess of Munster scholarships; the Sema Jazz Improvisation Prize; the Soroptimist International Award for Composer-Conductors; and the Sir John Manduell Prize – the RNCM’s highest student honor. His music and collaborative work embrace the great diversity of his international background and influences.

Dinuk Wijeratne (né en 1978), Canadien d’origine srilankaise, est un chef d’orchestre et pianiste primé, lauréat d’un prix JUNO, « créateur exubérant » (New York Times) et « artiste préfigurant notre avenir culturel » (Toronto Star). Transcendant les frontières dans ses projets collaboratifs, il est aussi à l’aise avec les orchestres symphoniques et les quatuors à cordes qu’avec les joueurs de tabla et les DJ; sur la scène internationale, on a pu le voir dans des cadres aussi différents que la scène de l’Orchestre philharmonique de Berlin et le Festival de jazz de la mer du Nord.

Wijeratne s’est produit à Carnegie Hall, au Kennedy Center (Washington DC), à l’Opéra Bastille (Paris), au Lincoln Center (New York), au Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires), mais aussi au Sri Lanka, au Japon et partout au Moyen-Orient. Il a tenu la vedette dans What Would Beethoven Do?, un documentaire traitant de l’innovation en musique classique, aux côtés d’Eric Whitacre, Bobby McFerrin et Benjamin Zander. Il a composé pour presque tous les artistes et ensembles avec lesquels il a partagé la scène, notamment Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road Ensemble, Suzie LeBlanc, Kinan Azmeh, James Ehnes, Joseph Petric, David Jalbert, Zakir Hussain, Sandeep Das, Tim Garland, Ed Thigpen, Ramesh Misra, Eric Vloeimans, le trio Gryphon, TorQ Percussion, les quatuors à cordes Afiara, Danel et Cecilia, l’Orchestre philharmonique de KwaZulu-Natal (Afrique du Sud), et les orchestres symphoniques de l’Illinois, de Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Winnipeg, Fresno et Buffalo.

Titulaire d’un doctorat de l’Université de Toronto, Wijeratne a également étudié à l’École Juilliard, au Collège Mannes (É.-U.) et au Royal Northern College of Music (R.-U.). Sa musique et ses projets collaboratifs sont le reflet de la diversité de ses influences et origines internationales.
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