Error with this block: Cast
French Melodies: Ravel, Renié, Fauré and Debussy
Lunchtime Concert
This event has passed.
Heady impressionistic beauty illuminated by flashes of modernity: a journey into the enchanted world of turn-of-the-century French music.
Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro was commissioned by the Érard company in 1905 to showcase its new double-action pedal harp. Sometimes described as a miniature concerto, it shows the full range of the instrument in an exquisitely scored chamber setting.
The French harpist Henriette Renié’s virtuosity inspired composers including Ravel and Debussy to write for the instrument, and her own compositions helped to establish it as a solo instrument. Contemplation (1898) is her earliest composition for solo harp.
Mezzo soprano and Opera North Chorister Helen Évora joins the ensemble for a selection of songs by Fauré, Debussy and Ravel.
Programme
Ravel | Introduction and Allegro for flute, clarinet, harp, string quartet
Henriette Renié | Contemplation for solo harp
Fauré, Debussy, Ravel | French melodies for harp and singer
Running time
Approximately 55 minutes
Start time
1:05pm
