The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Star flautist and Hallé Principal, Amy Yule takes centre stage to perform Ibert’s intricate Flute Concerto in a programme filled with an air of musical enchantment.

When Sergei Diaghilev – founder of the Ballets Russes – visited Stravinsky to check on the progress of his The Rite of Spring ballet score, he was surprised to find the composer working on something entirely different. Stravinsky had had a vision of a puppet suddenly brought to life, ‘exasperating the patience of the orchestra with diabolical cascades of arpeggios.’ Diaghilev immediately thought of Petrushka (the Russian version of Punch & Judy) and thus, the ballet was born. 

Alongside Ibert’s lyrical concerto, performed by the incredible Amy Yule, we’ll also explore Ravel’s fascination with the waltz in his Valses nobles et sentimentales. First though, we open with Dukas’ timeless The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – most notable to modern audiences for its use in Disney’s Fantasia – launching a concert of whimsy, mischief and a little bit of magic.