Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is a Canadian classical music ensemble based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 1969, the orchestra has become one of Canada's most prominent and respected musical institutions, known for its high-quality performances and commitment to promoting Canadian music and musicians. The idea for the NACO was first proposed by the Canadian conductor Mario Bernardi, who had previously served as the music director of the CBC Symphony Orchestra. Bernardi believed that Canada needed a national orchestra that could represent the country's diverse musical traditions and showcase its best talent. With the support of the National Arts Centre (NAC), a cultural institution established by the Canadian government in 1967, Bernardi began assembling a group of musicians to form the new orchestra. The first concert of the NACO took place on October 7, 1969, with Bernardi conducting a program that included works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Canadian composer Jean Coulthard. The orchestra's early years were marked by a series of successful tours and recordings, as well as collaborations with prominent Canadian artists such as Glenn Gould and Maureen Forrester. Over the years, the NACO has been led by a number of distinguished conductors, including Franco Mannino, Gabriel Chmura, and Pinchas Zukerman. Zukerman, a renowned violinist and conductor, served as the orchestra's music director from 1999 to 2015, during which time he helped to raise the orchestra's profile both nationally and internationally. Under Zukerman's leadership, the NACO embarked on a number of ambitious projects, including a series of recordings of the complete symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms. The orchestra also commissioned and premiered numerous new works by Canadian composers, such as John Estacio, Alexina Louie, and Ana Sokolović. In addition to its regular concert series in Ottawa, the NACO has performed at major venues and festivals around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the BBC Proms in London. The orchestra has also collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, singer-songwriter k.d. lang, and rock band The Tragically Hip. The NACO has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including several Juno Awards for its recordings, as well as the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2012. The orchestra has also been recognized for its commitment to education and outreach, with programs such as the NAC Orchestra Institute and the Music Alive Program, which brings live music to schools and communities across Canada. Today, the NACO continues to be a vital part of Canada's cultural landscape, with a roster of talented musicians and a commitment to excellence in performance and programming. As the orchestra approaches its 50th anniversary in 2019, it remains a testament to the power of music to bring people together and inspire creativity and innovation.

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