Cardiff to host world premieres of two Debussy works
23 March 2015
Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra is set to perform the world premieres of two Debussy works at Cardiff's St David's Hall this month. The concert is part of the Philharmonia Orchestra's landmark international festival of French music, City of Light Paris 1900-1950.
The two works - Prélude à 'L'histoire de Tristan and No-Ja-Li ou Le Palais du Silence - were left unfinished when the composer, Claude Debussy, died in 1918. They have since been completed and orchestrated by Robert Orledge, a leading expert on French music – and will be performed in public for the first time on 27 March 2015.
Cardiff University Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Mark Eager, will perform the world premieres, along with the UK premiere of a work by 20th-century French composer, Andre Jolivet.
Dr Caroline Rae, Senior Lecturer at the School of Music and Series Advisor to the Philharmonia Orchestra's City of Light festival, said: "Debussy's forgotten ballet No-ja-li ou le Palais de Silence and miniature Tristan Prélude are wonderful works that shed important light on the composer's activities. They have been brought to life by the superb completions of Robert Orledge. It is a tremendous coup for these world premieres to be taking place in Cardiff. This special concert will record the name of Cardiff University in the annals of music history.
"These exciting new discoveries will be juxtaposed with the UK premiere of Jolivet's beguiling song-cycle Poèmes intimes with baritone soloist Jeremy Huw Williams, as well as much-loved works by Debussy and Ravel.
"This concert is an excellent way for us to showcase the talents of our music students, as well as giving our students the opportunity to perform major world premieres."
More information on the concert is available from the School of Music's Concert Series website. Tickets cost £10 and are available from St David's Hall. Concessions are also available.
For more information about the Philharmonia Orchestra's City of Light: Paris 1900-1950 festival visit philharmonia.co.uk/paris.