大象传媒

A week of programmes with the 大象传媒 National of Orchestra of Wales, featuring works by Schumann and music inspired by springtime.

Presented by Katie Derham.

This afternoon we join the 大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales live in their home of Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay. Dutch conductor Jurjen Hempel scored a great success when he stood in at short notice last year to conduct them in Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony. Today he's back with the orchestra, joined by New Generation Artist Leonard Elschenbroich for Shostakovich's dark and dramatic Second Cello Concerto. It complements the life-giving celebratory energy of Schumann's Second Symphony, hailed by the "Gothic" symphonist Havergal Brian as being Schumann's "most complete vision of the orchestra".

During the concert interval, Thierry Fischer conducts three Russian fairy tales by Anatoly Liadov, the composer who would have got the commission for Diaghilev's Firebird if he hadn't been quite so slow to get started. Baba-Yaga is a ferocious witch who lives in a hut perched on chicken's legs, and Kikimora is a demon who haunts every Russian household, disturbing children with her screeching, causing death to all who witness see her spinning flax. By contrast, the Enchanted Lake is serene and tranquil - on the surface, at least; but underneath nature is equally cold and malevolent despite the stillness.

Spring comes to life in Debussy's impressionist colours. Printemps, a sensuous tone poem, was conceived in Italy during the composer's stay at the Villa Medici, after winning the prestigious Prix de Rome at the Paris Conservatoire. Jac van Steen conducts this Proms performance from 2007. You can hear more Debussyan spring in the fruits of his labours for this coveted musical prize in tomorrow's programme.

LIVE
Liszt: Von der Wiege bis zum Grabe
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto no. 2 in G major, Op. 126
Leonard Elschenbroich (cello),
大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales,
Jurjen Hempel (conductor).

2.50pm
Lyadov: Baba-Yaga; Kikimora; The Enchanted lake
大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales,
Thierry Fischer (conductor).

3.15pm
LIVE
Schumann: Symphony no. 2 in C major, Op. 61
大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales,
Jurjen Hempel (conductor).

4pm
Debussy: Printemps (Spring)
大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales,
Jac van Steen (conductor).