French visionaries

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra explore French visionaries of the orchestral world, with a programme that showcases the luminous colours of Debussy’s ravishing Nocturnes as well as the bittersweet beauty of Ravel’s waltzes.

The concert opens with a different (and eye-opening) angle on French music: a delightful, rarely-heard symphony from the decade that the BBC SSO was founded written by Elsa Barraine. She was a classmate and lifelong friend of Olivier Messiaen, who carved her own unique path in the mid-20th century French music scene. Pianist Nicolas Hodges dives deep into the innovative sonic world of Maurice Ohana, the Casablanca-born French composer with a voice that was entirely his own.

Live from City Halls in Glasgow, presented by Gillian Moore.

Elsa Barraine: Symphony No.2
Maurice Ohana: Piano Concerto

c. 8:25pm: interval

c. 8.45pm:
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales (orchestral version)
Debussy: Nocturnes, for women’s chorus and orchestra

Ilan Volkov, conductor
Nicolas Hodges, piano
Upper Voices of the RCS Chamber Choir
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

To listen on most smart speakers just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Radio 3 in Concert".