| London Philharmonic Orchestra | |
| Juanjo Mena | Conductor |
| Katia Labèque | Piano |
| Marielle Labèque | Piano |
Spaniard Juanjo Mena conducts four French works, with the odd glance over to Spain.
The surging currents and surface spray of Debussy's La mer stand in total contrast to the punchy, knockabout attitude of Poulenc's acerbic Concerto for Two Pianos.
Ravel's lifelong affection for Spain radiates through every bar of his red-hot Rapsodie espagnole, and to begin comes music by France's precursor to Serge Rachmaninoff, Gabriel Pierné.
His incidental music to Pierre Loti's 1897 novel-turned-play Ramuntcho is full of the passion, fervour and local colour of the play's Basque Country setting.
Supported by Palazzetto Bru Zane - Centre de musique romantique française.