La première partie – un salon parisien

In 19th century Paris, wealthy hostesses would receive the great artists, painters, writers, poets and musicians of the day for salons, social gatherings that were both entertainment and education. In his 21st century recreation of the intimate atmosphere of the salon, Stéphane Denève will receive three great French soloists, joining Jean-Yves Thibaudet to perform music for four-hands by Fauré and accompanying baritone Ronan Debois. Jean-Yves will also play Satie’s exquisite Gymnopédie and accompany violinist Vesselin Gellev in an arrangement of Massenet’s beautiful Méditation from Thaïs.

La deuxième partie – les nouveaux parisiens

Pre-recording and radio, the salon was one of the few ways to discover and promote the new music of this most cultured and sophisticated of cities. Stéphane will bring us right up to date with a brief look at the great music being composed in Paris today, presenting six, stylistically varied, young composers, all under forty: Thierry Pécou, Richard Dubugnon, Fabien Waksman, Jérémie Rhorer, Bruno Mantovani and Guillame Connesson. The short programme includes a new piano concerto by Connesson, whose exciting and accessible music has been warmly adopted by RSNO audiences over the last few years.

La troisième partie – le jazz

A lively and exhilarating conclusion to the festivities with two hugely popular works from the Paris of the jazz age! Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G is packed with tender melodies, as well as jazzy solos and spectacular piano virtuosity.

Gershwin composed An American in Paris whilst visiting Paris in 1928, perfectly capturing the bristling atmosphere of the city’s street-life (including real taxi horns!).

The music will be accompanied by video projections, mixed live, in response to the music.

Tickets:  £32, £24, £17.50, £13, £10