Despite enjoying much less recognition than his illustrious compatriots, Maurice Duruflé could never be dubbed a second-class composer. He is the mind behind the beautiful Requiem and the Three Dances for Orchestra, heavily inspired by Debussy, and deserving of greater inclusion in the repertoire. Hitting the screens in 2002, Catch me if you can is one of Steven Spielberg’s triumphs, with Leonardo DiCaprio brilliantly portraying the true story of a young con artist. A prolific film score composer, John Williams incorporated three themes from the film into his Escapades for alto saxophone and orchestra. Harrison Birtwistle, never one to pamper to popular opinion, composes music without compromises. Drawing inspiration from mythology, Panic paints a vivid picture of the terror and ecstasy felt by animals at the sound of the god Pan’s music. The enormous orchestra behind Ravel’s Bolero with its three saxophones, while not intimidating or fearsome, consistently elicits this ecstasy.

Jonathan Nott conductor
Valentine Michaud saxophone & artist in residence
Gabriel Michaud drums

Maurice Duruflé
Three Dances for orchestra, Op. 6
John Williams
Escapades for alto saxophone and orchestra (from the film 'Catch me if you can')

Intermission

Harrison Birtwistle
Panic, a dithyramb for alto saxophone, jazz drummer, wind, brass and percussion
Maurice Ravel
Bolero for orchestra