RPO: Magic and Mysticism

Alexander Shelley (Principal Associate Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) delves into fairytale worlds with two selections of theatrical music, from Fauré and Mendelssohn. Fauré’s Suite from Pelléas et Mélisande combines sweet melodies with moments of suspense and subtly infuses details of the story, from hunting French horn calls to lilting string triplets representing Mélisande’s spinning wheel. It also features the Sicilienne‘s sublime flute melody which is quintessential Fauré and one of his best-known pieces.

The fairies and enchanted woodlands of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream captivated Mendelssohn from an early age, and he was inspired to write an Overture based on this beloved tale many years before the rest of the Incidental Music (which includes the famous Wedding March). Despite this gap, Mendelssohn’s music retains the freshness of the Overture and oozes brilliance and lyrical charm, perfectly capturing the mood of the play and the shimmering sprites and magical forest setting, with spoken word, songs and orchestral pieces.

Ibert’s energetic Flute Concerto showcases the virtuosity of the RPO’s own Principal Flute, Emer McDonough. Dedicated to the great French flautist Marcel Moyse, the Concerto exhibits the full range of the flute with rapid, dazzling passages alongside elegiac phrases and rich tones.