Radio 3 in Concert

Ian Skelly presents from the Royal Festival Hall as violinist Nicola Benedetti joins the Philharmonia in Elgar's tender Violin Concerto, followed by an all-French second half with music by Chaminade and Debussy. Benedetti is one of the best-loved violin soloists of modern times and a regular and popular collaborator with the Philharmonia. Her chart-topping recording of this formidable work was praised for 'a sure sense of direction and lots of heart', an accurate description of Benedetti's approach to everything she does. Debussy's La Mer was inspired by the paintings of Turner and Hokusai, and of course the sea itself. In three evocative movements the composer described as symphonic sketches, the orchestra, with added sparkle from harps and percussion, conjures up the movement of wind and waves. To complete this programme full of poetry and invention, conductor Cristian Macelaru has chosen the suite from Cécile Chaminade's 1888 ballet Callirhoë. Elgar: Violin Concerto. Interval. Chaminade: Callirhoë Suite. Debussy: La Mer. Nicola Benedetti (violin), Philharmonia, Cristian Macelaru (conductor).