Opening tonight’s concert is Franck’s spine-tingling symphonic poem based on the chilling folk tale of a wicked Rheinish Count who deliberately ignores the bells summoning him to church and decides to go on a hunt instead. A supernatural voice is heard and condemns him to be hunted for eternity by a pack of demons. Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand provides the perfect counterpoint to close the first half and tonight is performed by the award-winning Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, whose eloquence and artistry have won him fans across the globe. The second half returns to the fantastical with Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique bringing the concert to a sizzling finale.
