dHPO – Claude Debussy Centenary Concert

We celebrate another centenary, this time with a European flavour, that of Frenchman Claude Debussy. Debussy is considered the first impressionist composer (although he himself disagreed with this accolade). His evocative Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune certainly paints a picture of a dreamy afternoon with its famous flute solo. This work is partnered by Jeux, a ballet commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev.

Debussy won the immensely prestigious Prix de Rome in 1884, a feat which inexplicably was never achieved by his compatriot composer Maurice Ravel. Ravel, also considered an impressionist composer, and also despising the term, composed his Tombeau de Couperin as an homage to Francois Couperin and it is a surprisingly light hearted but reflective work, enjoying a neoclassical style as it remembers the Baroque musical form of Couperin. We trace back the line of French composers by also including the very popular Second Piano Concerto of Camille Saint Saens, teacher of Gabriel Faure who then in turn taught Ravel! Our soloist is Sicilian-born prize-winning pianist Giuseppe Guarrera.

For more information visit http://www.uharts.co.uk/whats-on/2018-autumn-and-winter/dhpo-claude-debussy-centenary-concert