Love and Devotion

Date night sorted – the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are exploring themes of love and devotion at Lighthouse, Poole on Wednesday 12 November. David Hill conducts a rich repertoire of romantic classics, accompanied by soloists Jennifer Johnston (Mezzo Soprano), Ashley Riches (Baritone) and the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus.

Perhaps one of Ravel’s most personal creations Le tombeau de Couperin is a memorial to the fallen in the First World War. Bursting with colour and inventiveness, he reimagines the clarity and rhythmic liveliness of its Baroque ancestors.

Wagner was hopelessly in love with Mathilde Wesendonck, the young, golden-haired wife of his wealthy friend Otto when he was composing his great love tragedy Tristan and Isolde, as well as the five songs on poems written by Mathilde herself. He identified himself in them (and in her) the perfect love which had eluded him. They rage of frustrated love and infatuation, displaying the full measure of Wagner’s gifts of melody and harmony, as well as his unmatched ability to channel human emotion through music.

Duruflé’s Requiem, with its use of medieval chant alongside modern musical techniques, remains a timeless masterpiece. The sometimes archaic- sounding melodies are fused with sophisticated harmonies influenced by the earlier generation of French Impressionists. Restraint and intimacy are perfectly balanced with majesty and power, creating a work of faith and tranquillity that touches the soul.

Works and composers
Ravel - Le tombeau de Couperin
Wagner - Wesendonck Lieder
Duruflé - Requiem

This concert is part of an ongoing series on Wednesday evenings at Lighthouse, Poole. Multibuy discounts are on offer for all concerts booked through the BSO Box Office – so the more you visit, the more you save! They will also be streaming 19 Digital Concerts this season so check out their What’s On page on bsolive.com, to see which concerts you can watch from the comfort of your own home.

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