The Hallé - España

Delyana Lazarova conductor
Craig Ogden guitar

Chabrier España – rhapsody for orchestra
Bizet Carmen: Suite No.1
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez
Piazzolla Libertango
Ravel Boléro

Music conjuring Spain, its sights and sounds, with Delyana Lazarova, former Hallé Assistant Conductor, our guide. Curiously, it’s often been French composers who’ve expressed the Spain’s essence, as in Chabrier’s España, inspired by folk musicians he heard there on holiday. Bizet showed similar flair in his opera, Carmen, the colourful Suite No.1 concluding with the famous Toreadors’ March. But to capture the country’s soul, turn to a Spaniard: Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, performed by an always welcome Hallé guest, guitarist Craig Ogden. At its affecting heart is the slow movement’s wonderful melody infused with flamenco fire. After a brief visit to Argentina for Piazzolla’s exuberant Libertango, the concert culminates in another Frenchman’s take on Spain, Ravel’s Boléro. But Basque blood coursed in that composer’s veins, influencing his most popular work.

After the concert, in the foyer > Join us for more music with students from the RNCM guitar department.