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Debussy and Beyond

London Symphony Orchestra/François-Xavier Roth

,Barbican Hall
Photo of musician Roth

Three iconic works inspired by Debussy – his best-loved work for orchestra and a world premiere – form the finale of our Debussy centenary celebration.

Béla Bartók once remarked that ‘Debussy’s great service to music was to awaken among all musicians an awareness of harmony and its possibilities.’ Nowhere is this quite as evident as in La mer, a work that was deeply controversial with its unpredictable harmony and shimmering, atmospheric textures.

Much like Debussy’s music, Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto ebbs and flows in a whirlwind of melodies; Stravinsky’s Chant du rossignol paints portraits of the orient; Boulez’s radical Livre pour cordes defies predictability. And Ewan Campbell’s new work inspired by the composer testifies that, even 100 years after his death, Debussy is still one of the great geniuses of modern music.

Tagged with: Classical music London Symphony Orchestra 2017-18 Multibuy London Symphony Orchestra 2017–18

Programme

  • Boulez   Livre pour cordes
  • Bartók   Violin Concerto No 2
  • Ewan Campbell   Frail Skies (world premiere, Panufnik commission*)
  • Stravinsky   Chant du rossignal
  • Debussy   La Mer

* Panufnik commission generously supported by Lady Hamlyn and the Helen Hamlyn Trust

Performers

  • London Symphony Orchestra  
  • François-Xavier Roth   conductor
  • Renaud Capuçon   violin

Pre-concert event

5.30pm Barbican Hall
LSO Platforms: Guildhall artists perform in the Barbican Hall. Free entry.

DEBUSSY Danse sacrée et danse profane for harp and strings

Elin Samuel harp
Timothy Chua violin
Ida Derbesse violin
Agnieszka Zyniewicz viola 
Akito Goto cello
Piotr Hetman double bass

DEBUSSY String Quartet in G minor, Op 10

Accendo Quartet:
Juliette Roos violin
Sabine Sergejeva violin
Alexander McFarlane viola
Daniel Benn cello

Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.