Afternoon on 3

Presented by Ian Skelly. BBC Proms 2008 British composer George Benjamin conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in his first orchestral work Ringed by the Flat Horizon, which was dedicated to his teacher Olivier Messiaen. The concert opens with Messiaen's four meditations on religious themes, L'ascension, and returns to France at its close with popular works by Ravel. German violinist Carolin Widmann makes her Proms debut with Stravinsky's neo-Classical violin concerto. Introduced by Sara Mohr-Pietsch. Carolin Widmann (violin) BBC Symphony Orchestra George Benjamin (conductor) Messiaen: L'ascension Stravinsky: Violin Concerto George Benjamin: Ringed by the Flat Horizon Ravel: Pavane pour une infante defunte Ravel: Bolero Chamber Music Couperin: Pieces de clavecin Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin (excerpts) Alexandre Tharaud (piano).