Tag: NAC-CNA

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Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

This evening Rosa and I went to see the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO).

The opening piece was Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on a Theme by Tallis. It was absolutely enchanting. Very peaceful and yet memorable. I liked it so much that when I got home, I bought it on the iTunes Store. (It is also available to play from the event page http://www2.nac-cna.ca/en/orchestra/event/63 just below the photo of conductor Hannu Lintu).

The second piece was the violin concerto, “Concentric Paths” by Thomas Adés, with soloist Leila Josefowicz. I did not enjoy this modernist work. I found it was too chaotic for my tastes with nothing specific to focus on while listening. The soloist spent 5 minutes before beginning the piece by explaining all the parts to the audience, but that mostly made people impatient.

Hannu Lintu - Photo credit Jonas Lundqvist
Hannu Lintu - Photo credit Jonas Lundqvist

After intermission, NACO performed Beethoven’s Fifth Sympony (Symphony No. 5 in C minor). It’s a fantastic work. I still prefer the Ninth, but the Fifth is still a magnificent work.

The NACO was conducted by a guest Finnish conductor, Hannu Lintu. I am interested to see the different styles of the conductors we have seen over the past 6 years that Rosa and I have attended concerts together.

Hannu Lintu has an eccentric and energetic style. His motions and gestures were dramatic. He was just so fascinating to watch.

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Beethoven's Ninth

This evening, Rosa and I went to the NAC for a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony by the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). Rosa bought the tickets after I had expressed how much I enjoy the symphony; it is one of the few classical pieces I think I understand.

I can feel the emotions, the opening up of the soul to joy. It is one of the most powerful expressions I have experienced of pure joy.

The evening started with a shorter piece by Canadian composer Malcolm Forsyth. It was the world premier of his “A Ballad of Canada”. It was a special performance by the NACO as Malcolm’s daughter Amanda Forsyth is the Principal Cello, and the conductor is her husband (and thus Malcolm’s son-in-law) Pinchas Zukerman. It was an emotional moment, as Malcolm has been ill for some time. At the end of the performance, Malcolm was in one of the box seats and weakly stood up to acknowledge the applause.

NACO standing to take the applause
NACO standing to take the applause

After the intermission, the “Ode to Joy” began. The symphony is about 65 minutes long in four parts. One of the major innovations of the piece is the use of voice as one of the instruments.

One of my favourite sections is the start of the second movement. I feel it is so openly and energetically joyful. It gives me goose bumps.

The final movement brings in the full chorus. The sound of the wall of vocal power of a chorus full-on song is amazing. One of the four soloists was soprano Arianna Zukerman, daughter of Pinchas Zukerman.

With such emotions and power, I cannot imagine that it was created by someone who at the time was completely deaf. It is heartbreaking to the point of tears that although Beethoven conducted the first public performance, he was unable to hear the standing ovation of the audience at the conclusion.

Sadly, I heard three cell phones go off during the performance at the NAC.

[Updated Oct 3, 2011: Malcolm Forsyth passed away July 5, 2011, just over a month after this concert]