Explore what's on: Friday 14 March 2008

André de Ridder leads the RNCM Symphony Orchestra through a programmes featuring music by Messiaen, Rautavaara and Berlioz.

Continuing this season’s French theme, the RNCM Symphony Orchestra opens this concert with Messiaen’s orchestral suite Les offrandes oubliées, a religious study with a reverential, plainchant-like opening that gives way to a famously savage central section. RNCM pianist Matthew Kam takes centre-stage for Rautavaara’s blatantly Romantic-sounding Piano Concerto.  Described as having a ‘Gershwinian samba finale’, Rautavaara tailored the solo part to his own performing skill so that he could play the piece throughout Finland. Symphonie Fantastique, an epic work by any standard, is autobiographical – Berlioz was obsessed with the Irish actress Harriet Smithson when he wrote it. A dreamy young lover, an elegant ball that turns sour  an execution, and a Witches’ Sabbath – the ultimate X-rated symphony!