Le Droit (Ottawa), July 24, 1999

Le releve en beauté

Bernard Labadie was the conductor of the energetic and precise NAC orchestra [...] which, above all, showcased two young soloists - the one a violinist, the other a soprano - who, justifiably, garnered great enthusiasm from the attentive audience.

In the "prelude" to the orchestral program, Lara St. John, with total concentration and great expressive precision, played the second Partita - the one in D minor with the glorious Chaconne - by Johann Sebastian Bach. She gave it not only a dazzling sense of structure, but she also breathed into it that vibrant universe of musical imagination which is hers.

Later, she gave free rein to her temperament and passion, with a finely toned sound, to the Concerto in G minor by Max Bruch, which was supported with clear fervor by NAC orchestra.