The National Arts Centre Orchestra’s musicians have been practicing for weeks in the lead-up to the opening night of the season, and to Alexander Shelley’s inaugural beginning as Music Director. Now as the final hours tick-on, and last minute adjustments to phrasing and colour have been…
Tucked into the back corner of the NAC’s lobby the Hexagon Studio is a small space where big ideas are discussed. It is the home of NAC podcasting and it is where NAC Orchestra musician Marjolaine Fournier and music critic Jean-Jacques van Vlasselaer can be seen engaged in passionate…
Soon the NAC Orchestra will be on their way to the United Kingdom. During final rehearsals, some musicians took a few moments to speak about what aspects of the UK Tour they are most looking forward to. For viola player Paul Casey the luxury of spending extra time with the repertoire is…
NAC Orchestra musician Marjolaine Fournier has been studying the erhu as a way to learn more about Chinese culture and music. Following the suggestion of her teacher Marjolaine brought her erhu to the Great Wall. After some initial nervousness Marjolaine was soon lost in the moment The…
In preparation for the tour, I read a number of books and watched films that might illuminate my trip. Somehow, many of the contemporary writers I came across took me back to a turning point - one of many - in China's long history: the Cultural Revolution. Its goal for the arts: that they…
As we wait for the train that will take us to Ghuangzhou, I've been thinking: isn't it just amazing what a concert hall can become.. Last night, doors closed, stage packed with our two bands and the beautifully emerald green seats all filled with the local audience, I thought: we could be…
Today an NAC Orchestra wind quintet and the Rideau Brass Quintet travelled by bus to the New Territories to perform for students at Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School. Our musicians were impressed with focus of the students who played chinese instruments such as guzhengs and erhus.…
China is far to go when you don't like leaving home... The thought of this vast country was daunting and I couldn't quite organize my thoughts and emotions around the idea of traveling and playing in such a far away land. I looked through my memories of tours that I had enjoyed most and…
Maestro Zukerman will perform Elgar's Violin Concerto Tuesday night, as the NAC Orchestra’s Beethoven Festival continues. What a treat this performance will be for all in attendance; Pinchas is known for his interpretation of the Elgar concerto internationally. In music journalist…
This week's podcasts include both music and dance. Marjolaine Fournier and Jean-Jacques Van Vlasselaer discuss the musical artistry of Elgar and uncover the passionate artist behind the imposing mustache. In dance, choreographer Mourad Merzouki, Artistic Director of Le Centre Chorégraphique…
« Avez-vous déjà vu un bâton laid »?, demande Marjolaine Fournier. La centaine d’élèves rassemblés dans la cafétéria de l’école de Grande-Digue – située dans un des pittoresques petits villages de la côte acadienne – éclatent de rire lorsqu’ils aperçoivent cet instrument de musique hors de…
Marjolaine Fournier, double bass National Arts Centre Orchestra