NACO unveils big names in classical music for shortened season

The National Arts Centre Orchestra's 2016- 2017lineup is buffwith the big boys ofclassical music, with their biggest hits performed by a roster of modern-day stars.

"It's all about creating a really healthy balance of new creations by composers we really believe in and the great classics," said NACO music director Alexander Shelley at the launch Friday.

The upcoming season will feature works by Beethoven, Schumann,Rachmaninoff,Brahms, Chopin, andMozart, played by the likes of violinistJoshua Bell, and pianistsAngela Hewitt,LouisLortie, and Jonathan Biss.

Anine-day festival exploring the music of Beethoven and Schumannwill roll outperformances of all of Beethoven's piano concertos.

No Messiah this year

Shelley took over the reins as music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra last Septemberto an abundance of good will and enthusiasm, andthatcontinues as he looks to his sophomore year.

While big things are expected for2017when Canada celebrates its150thbirthdayand the NAC's new faceliftisrevealedfor now,Shelleyhas the challenge ofprogramming for a building that is underconstruction.

That's led himto plan for a truncated season. Traditional NACOChristmas concerts, such as Handel's Messiah, will not be held this year.

Highlights of the2016-2017 season:

• World-renowned American violinist JoshuaBell opensthe season, performing the Brahmsviolin concerto. (Oct. 6-7)
• All five of Beethoven's piano concertos performed at Beethoven-Schumann festival. (Oct. 12-20)
• Romance on the big screen:theclassic film of love and sacrifice,Casablanca, will be shown as a full orchestra performs MaxSteiner'slush, dramatic score.(Feb. 9-11)
• World premieres from sevenCanadian composersincludingOscar winner Howard Shore, whoscored the music forThe Lord of Rings film trilogy. Shorehas written a new work for classical guitar sensation Milo.(Feb. 23-24)
• From Russia with love:the legendary St. Petersburg Philharmonic arrives forits first visit to Canada's capital,with big music fromRachmaninoff and Shostakovich in tow. (Feb. 25)
• Louis Riel:Acclaimed Canadian baritone Russell Brauntakeson the role of theMtisfolk heroin afullre-staging of HarrySomers' 1967 opera. (June 15-17, 2017)

The hugelypopular Casual Fridays series where patrons mingle, sip cocktails, and chat about music before, during, and after concertscontinues with appearances fromMilo and Canadian pianistJan Lisiecki.