Artiste: Samuel Coles

It was the percussion which took the starring role as Haydn and Nielsen engaged in a lively skirmish at the Royal Festival Hall, the Philharmonia under the watchful command of Paavo Järvi. 

The Philharmonia Orchestra's Paris: City of Light 1900–1950 reaches its climax, where Debussy and Messiaen combine for a radiant, dazzling programme. Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard crowns an emotionally intense Turangalîla-symphonie.

This final concert of a three-week festival of French music featured works by Debussy, Ravel, and Messiaen. In a clever bit of programming, the number of performers on stage grew from one flautist on the first piece to a symphony of over 100 for the last.