The National Arts Centre (NAC) is pleased to announce that John Storgårds, Principal Guest Conductor of the NAC Orchestra, has extended his contract with the NAC Orchestra for five years, through the 2027-2028 season.
The acclaimed Finnish musician first conducted the NAC Orchestra in February 2013 and was subsequently named Principal Guest Conductor in 2015-2016. Mr. Storgårds has maintained a position of great renown on the world stage, having just been named Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic and performing as a highly sought-after violin virtuoso and chamber musician.
“I am delighted that the orchestra and our audiences will continue their wonderfully fruitful relationship with John for another five years. The length and depth of his relationship with the National Arts Centre speaks to the integrity and energy that he brings to each and every visit. I join the musicians and our wider community in celebrating this great news!”
– Alexander Shelley, NACO Music Director
“With our NAC Orchestra, John contributes his unique interpretive voice to a wide variety of repertoire. The energy they create together and share with audiences is undeniable. He has brought to NACO a wealth of new artistic relationships, with both internationally renowned soloists and visionary composers, including Outi Tarkiainen and Sebastian Fagerlund. We’re thrilled to continue this relationship!”
– Nelson McDougall, NACO Managing Director
“I am very happy to be continuing my warm relationship with the wonderful National Arts Centre Orchestra and its great musicians. The National Arts Centre in Ottawa has become a special, important home abroad for me during these recent years, and the musicians and staff of the orchestra have become dear colleagues and friends. We have already achieved many fantastic and unforgettable moments of music making together, and I can't wait to have more of that, together with our devoted, supporting listeners.”
– John Storgårds, NACO Principal Guest Conductor
“The camaraderie and inspiration that John brings with the music making draws the best out of all of us, and that is palpable and exciting to our audience members. I think I can speak on behalf of the whole orchestra to say we are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have John with us for the foreseeable future.”
– Yosuke Kawasaki, NACO Concertmaster
John Storgårds returns to the NAC for two concerts with the NAC Orchestra, March 29 and 30, 2023, for the North American premiere of Sebastian Fagerlund’s chamber symphony, a NACO co-commission. On this program, NACO Concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki is taking centre stage as soloist for Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4.
Mr. Storgårds will also make an appearance as a violinist on NACO’s WolfGang Session #19 at Club SAW on March 31, 2023.
