FRENCH IMPRESSIONS

Presented by California Symphony

What’s Interesting About This Program

  • Often categorized as “impressionist composers”, Debussy and Ravel were the two most important and influential French composers of the early 20th century. Nostalgic and fantastical, Ma mère I’Oye (Mother Goose) is Ravel’s charming musical homage to scenes from fairy tales including Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and the Enchanted Garden.

  • The French theme continues with an arrangement of three harpsichord pieces by Baroque master Couperin by present day composer Thomas Adès.

  • World Premiere: California Symphony Young American Composer-in-Residence Katherine Balch (2017-2020) hand selected the three voices for this work, which is based on Les Illuminations by French poet Rimbaud. Balch’s narrative intertwines the original French words with the English translation.

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Date:
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City: Walnut Creek
Price Range:
$44 - $74
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Program Items

Thomas Adès Three Studies from Couperin
Balch Illuminate (World Premiere)
Debussy Danse (orch. Ravel)
Ravel Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose)

Performers

Donato Cabrera Music Director

Lesher Center for the Arts, Hofmann Theater

Lesher Center for the Arts, Hofmann Theater

1601 Civic Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
United States