Overall Rating
4.4
By jayardi
NACO ... always a great experience
This was the Gershwin concert. I've wondered for sometime when the orchestra would get around to performing Rhapsody In Blue and this was it. Kimberly Sykes was great. This was the last concert of the 2022-23 season, and not only did the musicians sound tremendous, they sounded happy. Hats off to all the soloists, Shelley, nice double bass solo, Karen Dawn elly trumpet incorporated, the every entertaining Kawasaki, and ever other player. Not only did the musicians sound tremendous, they also sounded happy. We're soooo fortunate to have such a great world class group of players ie. the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa. ...
By Ames
Re-inspired the artist in me!
Incredibly moving performance of Rhapsody in Blue. Great ticket prices and seats. Relaxed atmosphere. Will definitely get out to the Orchestra more often! ❤️
By Peter W
An excellent way to end the 2022-2023 NACO season
The first work by Joan Tower, Fanfare for an Uncommon Woman, was stirring and surprisingly accessible for a work by a contemporary composer. The second piece by Jessie Montgomery, Coincident Dances for Orchestra, was really a melange of musical genres, a sort of 'sampling' for live orchestra, While enjoyable and well played, it suffered from a lack of structure. However, it was great to see the NACO perform a work by a contemporary Black female composer (one who is much renowned). The final two pieces by George Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue, and An American in Paris, were especially well received by the audience. Matthew Whitaker proved to be a blind, Black American, primarily jazz pianist, relatively early in his career. According to Conductor Alexander Shelley, he was appearing with a symphony orchestra for only the second time, having previously appeared with his hometown Baltimore Symphony previously. Unlike many soloists, Whitaker turned to the audience several times during the performance to engage with us visually. While it wasn't the strongest performance of the piano solo I have ever heard, it was entertaining, which is really the point. The NACO announced the retirement of two members of the orchestra, including one of the few remaining founding members of the orchestra (from 1969 - a 54 year career!)
By Nancy L.
Great to be back at the NAC
I really enjoyed the 90 minute, or so, program with no intermission. Some of the music was not to my taste but I did enjoy the Gershwin selections which is what we went for. We also enjoyed the Conductor!
By Claudia
Excellent performance!
Excellent performance, perfect ending for an extraordinary season!
By A Fan
NAC Orchestra Meets Jazz
Staff were so accommodating to a wheelchair user: they found us accessible seating and even pushed the user to the front door to catch an Uber. The orchestra, Alexander Shelley and Matthew Whitaker were phenomenal!! 10/10
By Mad 4 Music
Bravo maestro Shelley
The American music themed - for Independence Day - concert was excellent. Maestro Shelley has great rapport with the audience (contrary to his predecessor who never addressed the public) and explains the pieces we are about to hear, often with delightful humour. The performance of the new pieces as well as of the Gherswin classics was splendid and rousing. Also very much appreciated the format - a little over an hour without intermission. Please let’s have more of these shorter concerts. It was a most enjoyable evening. Bravo to all involved in its execution.
By jayardi
OUTSTANDING!!
National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts - Ottawa
EDITED VERSION OF A REVIEW JUST SUBMITTED National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts - Ottawa The National Arts Center Orchestra is a fine, world class, musical aggregation without which Ottawa would be a far less appealing city to live in. It is the crème de la crème of a city full of attractions such as the National Art Gallery, festivals, significant historical sites and national institutions. There is currently a trend to make the Orchestra's programming more reflective of the changing multicultural makeup in Canada AS WELL AS politically motivated sensitivities and issues. While inclusivity is a worthwhile venture, the National Arts Center Orchestra must ensure that the QUALITY OF THE music it performs is the primary determinant of what it PROGRAMS. That is THE ORCHESTRA'S strength. The balance of the recent program honouring Peter Herrndorf, was terrific ... a bit of Bach, a contemporary piece, a bit of Boulanger, a Mendelsohn Violin Concerto beautifully played and Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony. The latter may be ensconced in traditional classical repertoire but it's also wonderful piece TO LISTEN TO AND OBSERVE BEING PLAYED BECAUSE IT PROVIDES an opportunity for TOP NOTCH MUSICIANS to strut their stuff. Overall, a very enjoyable and entertaining concert!
By jayardi
outstanding!!
National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts - Ottawa
The National Arts Center Orchestra is a fine, world class, musical aggregation without which Ottawa would be a far less appealing city to live in. It is the crème de la crème of a city full of attractions such as the National Art Gallery, festivals and significant historical sites and national institutions. There is currently a trend to make the Orchestra's programming more reflective of the changing multicultural makeup in Canada and politically motivated sensitivities and issues. While inclusivity is a worthwhile venture, the National Arts Center Orchestra must ensure that the music it performs is the primary determinant of what it performs. That is it's strength. The balance of the recent program honouring Peter Herrndorf, was terrific ... a bit of Bach, a contemporary piece, a bit of Boulanger, a Mendelsohn Violin Concerto beautifully played and Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony. The latter may be ensconced in traditional classical repertoire but it's also wonderful piece and an opportunity for the musicians to strut their stuff. Overall, a very enjoyable and entertaining concert!
By Alainlabrador
So good to be back!
National Arts Centre / Centre national des Arts - Ottawa
It is so good to be back after all that time and the orchestra was just as good as I remember! The soloists were excellent and the addition of the choir made this event memorable! I cant wait for the next time we get to attend a concert like this!