It鈥檚 been said that all the best Spanish music came from France. That鈥檚 not strictly true -
nothing captures the fragrance of an Andalusian evening quite like Manuel de Falla鈥檚 enchanted 'Nights in the Gardens of Spain', especially when performed by the superb young Spanish virtuoso Javier Perianes. And there鈥檚 nothing polite about the flamenco rhythms and simmering passions of his ballet 'The Three-Cornered Hat', either. But that didn鈥檛 stop Ravel and Debussy falling in love with the sounds, scents and images of Spain, and from the moonlit warmth of Debussy鈥檚 'Images' to the heady perfumes of Ravel鈥檚 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鈥� fascination with Spain (free to ticket-holders, subject to seating availability).
The concert will be broadcast live on 91热爆 Radio 3 - presented by Andrew McGregor.