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France at War 1914-1918

Presented by Katie Derham. Magnard: Symphony No 3. Koechlin: String Quartet No 3. Roussel: Symphony No 2. Boulanger: Psalm 24. Ibert: Chant de Folie. Ravel: Ma mere l'oye.

Continuing Radio 3's Music in the Great War season, Katie Derham introduces an afternoon with French composers whose lives and work were affected by the conflict. First, Symphony No. 3 by Alberic Magnard, who became a national hero in 1914 when he died defending his land against the German invaders. It's followed by Charles Koechlin's String Quartet No. 3, a piece started during the war but finished once it was over. After that, it's Albert Roussel's Symphony No. 2, written in 1919 as the composer reflected on life after the destruction. Then, a couple of miniatures also inspired by the war: first Lili Boulanger's take on Psalm 24, remembering that she and her sister worked on a journal of music which was sent to ex-pupils from the Conservatoire who were at the front, including Ibert, whose piece Chant de Folie comes next.
This week also features recent recordings by the Ulster Orchestra. Today we include a piece, appropriately French, from the last concert given by JoAnn Falletta as Principal Conductor of the ensemble: Ravel's Ma mere l'oye.

A. Magnard: Symphony No. 3 in B flat miinor, Op. 11
Malmo Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Sanderling, conductor

2.45pm
C. Koechlin: String Quartet No. 3, Op. 72
Antigone Quartet

3.00pm
A. Roussel: Symphony No. 2, Op. 23
Orchestre de Paris
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor

3.45pm
L. Boullanger: Psalm 24, for chorus, organ and orchestra
The Monteverdi Choir
London Symphony Orchestra
John Eliot Gardiner, conductor

3.50pm
J. Ibert: Chant de Folie
Slovak Philharmonic Chorus
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Adriano, conductor

3.55pm
M. Ravel: Ma mere l'oye
Ulster Orchestra
JoAnn Falletta, conductor.

2 hours, 30 minutes

Music Played

  • Charles Koechlin

    Quartet no. 3, op. 72

    Ensemble: Antigone Quartet.
  • Hector Berlioz

    Beatrice et Benedict: Overture

    Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Munch.
    • RCA.
  • Lili Boulanger

    Psalm 24

    Choir: Monteverdi Choir. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • DG.
  • Jacques Ibert

    Chant de Folie

    Choir: Slovak Philharmonic Chorus. Orchestra: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Adriano.
    • Marco Polo.
  • Albéric Magnard

    Symphony no.3

    Orchestra: Malmö SymfoniOrkester. Conductor: Thomas Sanderling.
    • BIS.
  • Albert Roussel

    Symphony no.2

    Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris – Philharmonie. Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach.
    • Ondine.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Ma mere l'oye - suite vers. for orchestra

    Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Conductor: JoAnn Falletta.

Broadcast

  • Mon 30 Jun 2014 14:00