To my readers south of the border, a Happy Fourth of July!
On one of the concourses inside the National Arts Centre is this wonderful grand piano with a lot of history. This was one of the pianos belonging to the great Canadian classical pianist Glenn Gould, left to the NAC. Photographs of the man himself are on the walls around it, along with video footage and information. The piano remains in tune, and is occasionally played.
I paused to take photographs of portraits on the walls of a number of the top players in the NAC. Heather Moore is the artistic producer and executive director for Canada Scene. Alexander Shelley is music director and principal conductor for the National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Cathy Levy is the executive director for Dance at the NAC. Kevin Loring is the artistic director for Indigenous Theatre here.
I came into Southam Hall, the largest of the performance spaces in the building. Orchestra positions and music notes were set out on the stage, though most instruments were not in place. I'll show you things from there tomorrow.
Coming up onto the stage, I paused to photograph these facts about the hall.
Here we have the notes on display for one of the items in the evening concert. You try making sense of music notes, because I can't. Regardless, I'd have enjoyed the overture.
Such a grand theatre. Interesting exhibits of portraits.
ReplyDeleteImpressive hall!
ReplyDeleteAh, so sad I gave up the piano at a young age... we had a Steinweg from our Grandfather.
That is a beautiful concert hall.
ReplyDeleteI am very curious about the acoustics of this concert hall!
ReplyDeleteHave you attended a concert there?
...Canada produced some many great pianists!!!
ReplyDeleteUma bela sala de espectáculos, aproveito para desejar a continuação de uma boa semana.
ReplyDeleteAndarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
Cool and modern...
ReplyDeleteGlenn Gould was one of Canada's greatest geniuses. I listened to his performance of the Goldberg variations only yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWere you around last fall when I posted of my wife's connection with Glenn and family. She donated Glenn's original piano to the foundation in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures.
ReplyDeleteImagine playing in that huge concert hall!
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice concert hall, but more important than the looks are the acoustics of course ...
ReplyDeleteMr Gould made some wonderful music from those 88 keys. I was listening to a CD of his just a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful hall!
ReplyDeleteI should imagine there have been many excellent performances on this fabulous NAC stage William ✨
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a modern hall.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't mind seeing some concerts there. :)
That is an enormous and very beautiful concert hall. Thanks for sharing it. :-)
ReplyDelete@Nancy: it's a wonderful space.
ReplyDelete@Iris: my father played an upright piano for many years.
@Linda: it certainly is.
@Ella: I have attended concerts here. It has good acoustics- there was an update of some of the acoustics infrastructure a year or so ago.
@Tom: that's quite true.
@Francisco: thank you.
@Italiafinlandia: indeed.
@David: he was a genius.
@Anvilcloud: I must not have seen that post.
@Magiceye: thank you.
@Sandi: it's quite something to see an orchestra play here.
@Jan: and this one has good acoustics.
@John: he left behind quite a legacy.
@Marie: that it is.
@Grace: of many types.
@Catarina: I've enjoyed attending concerts here.
@DJan: you're welcome.
What a splendid building, it would be wonderful to go to a concert there:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous concert venue. I'd love to hear something there.
ReplyDeleteI rarely go to concerts, but every time I do, I tell myself I should go more often...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful space, William!
ReplyDeletea beautiful place for musicians to perform in and for people to attend.
ReplyDeleteI love listening to a piano being played.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I really do wish I had kept up those piano lessons when I was a kid.
@Rosie: I enjoy it on those occasions when I go.
ReplyDelete@Jeanie: the evening concert, which I wasn't able to attend, had quite an eclectic mix in its program.
@Pat: I should go more often too.
@RedPat: that it is.
@Red: that's true.
@Happyone: I never learned any musical instrument.
wish i could hear them play ... what fun. ( ;
ReplyDeletealways enjoy listening to tunes.
Lovely music hall and exhibit. I feel inspired by your photos to attend a concert before the year is out. It has been years since I heard a live performance.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a great tour.
ReplyDeleteDecades ago I could read music but not now. Lovely building.
ReplyDeleteBeing a pianist, I immediately loved this hall with the elegant grand piano!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful concert hall, I love the piano.
ReplyDeleteI don't like piano music at all, it hurts my ears except Elton John he plays that I forget that he is sitting behind a piano ! The hall looks very impressive !
ReplyDelete@Beth: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Maywyn: not that long for me.
@Sharon: I enjoyed my visit.
@Catalyst: I recognize them to be music notes, of course, I just can't make sense of them.
@Sharon: it's a beautiful building.
@Bill: so do I.
@Gattina: I like pianos.
That’s a beautiful concert hall. I love listening to piano.
ReplyDeleteThat grand piano is grandly impressive.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Glenn Gould and knew he was Canadian. It was nice to see that his former piano was prominately featured and I wondered if anyone else ever plays it, perhaps for special occasions?
ReplyDeleteGreat time and photos ~ Like the BW photos displayed ~ the 4th of July has me behind in my comments ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Such a beautiful concert hall.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I always admire people who can play piano.
ReplyDelete@Tamago: it's quite a space.
ReplyDelete@Joanne: definitely.
@Beatrice: just on occasion.
@Carol: this year I'm quite far behind.
@Jan: that it is.
@Klara: it's a gift.