Olari Elts’ Triumph in Ottawa

Many music lovers in Ottawa will agree with me that National Arts Centre Orchestra performs at its best, when conducted by Estonians. Estonian Maestro Olari Elts received standing ovation and admiration on March 30th at the National Arts Centre Southam Hall.

At his Canadian debut he conducted the Busoni Lustspiel-ouvertüre, Op.38, world premiere of Gary Kulesha "From the Diary of Virginia Woolf" and Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op.43.

In Artsfile review: Baltic brilliance with Olari Elts and Sibelius Second at NACO by Natasha Gauthier we read :"There's an irresistible energy and joy in Elts' conducting style; he leaps about the podium, sweeps his arms and hands in enthusiastic but exquisitely clear, focused gestures. His gift for revealing inner structures gave the symphony a fresh, living dimensionality. Elts took full advantage of NACO's hybrid chamber/symphonic sound, working at close range to produce a magical balance between sternum-rattling power and painterly detail and transparency".