大象传媒

Penny Gore presents recent performances by the 大象传媒 Philharmonic with a focus on Beethoven and on Benjamin Britten in his centenary year.

Britten was born in 1913 and this year will see many centenary homages to him and his music. The juxtaposition with Beethoven throughout this week of Afternoon on 3 is an intriguing one, as Britten was by means complimentary about Beethoven's music. This is a chance to see what you think: does their music have anything or nothing in common? Is it in some ways opposite yet complementary?

The 大象传媒 Philharmonic and Andrew Gourlay begin the week with a work by Britten's composition teacher, Frank Bridge, his symphonic poem Isabella based on Keats' poem. A set of songs by the fourteen year old Britten already shows more than mere promise: there's already a distinctive voice and a true flair for orchestral colour. 大象传媒 New Generation Artist Robin Tritschler sings his Four French Songs. Staying with things French, Andrew Gourlay returns to conduct a complete performance of Ravel's fairytale ballet, Mother Goose.

The second part of today's programme is a concert given at Victoria Hall, Hanley - the 大象传媒 Philharmonic's most recent visit to the Potteries, with its Conductor Laureate, Gianandrea Noseda. It combines two French works - Faur茅's music for Pelleas and Melisande and Ravel's G major Piano Concerto with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet as soloist - with Beethoven's mould-breaking Fifth Symphony, the first of three great Beethoven Symphonies over the next three days.

Bridge: Isabella - symphonic poem
大象传媒 Philharmonic,
Andrew Gourlay (conductor).

2.15pm
Britten: 4 Chansons fran莽aises
Robin Tritschler (tenor),
大象传媒 Philharmonic,
Juanjo Mena (conductor).

2.30pm
Ravel: Ma mere l'oye - ballet
大象传媒 Philharmonic,
Andrew Gourlay (conductor).

3pm
Faur茅: Pell茅as et M茅lisande - suite, Op. 80
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano)
3.45pm
Beethoven: Symphony no. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
大象传媒 Philharmonic,
Gianandrea Noseda (conductor).