Debussy and Ravel

This concert features two French composers of the early 20th century, both unique masters of orchestration, painting colours and managing light and shade in sound, in order to create atmospheres and emotions. First, it’s Claude Debussy, who died a hundred years ago this year, with his ‘Nocturnes’ in which he skilfully draws on the perfumes and mysteries of the night, to mesmerising effect. Then, Maurice Ravel’s most famous composition, ‘Boléro’, a hypnotic Spanish dance with its constant rhythmic pulse on top of which every instrument of the orchestra take turns to play a catchy, sensual tune as the tension irresistibly builds up until it reaches a wonderful climatic end! Ludovic Morlot conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Presenter Andrew McGregor is joined by French music expert Richard Langham-Smith to discuss the repertoire and its context.