It’s been said that all the best Spanish music came from France. That’s not strictly true -
nothing captures the fragrance of an Andalusian evening quite like Manuel de Falla’s enchanted 'Nights in the Gardens of Spain', especially when performed by the superb young Spanish virtuoso Javier Perianes. And there’s nothing polite about the flamenco rhythms and simmering passions of his ballet 'The Three-Cornered Hat', either. But that didn’t stop Ravel and Debussy falling in love with the sounds, scents and images of Spain, and from the moonlit warmth of Debussy’s 'Images' to the heady perfumes of Ravel’s sun-drenched 'Rapsodie espagnole', this is a programme to fire the imagination and caress the ears.
Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room
Dr Caroline Potter, from the School of Advanced Study, University of London, talks about French composers’ fascination with Spain (free to ticket-holders, subject to seating availability).
The concert will be broadcast live on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3 - presented by Andrew McGregor.