Afternoon on 3 - Towards Messiaen: Hearing Pictures - Episode 4

Presented by Penny Gore. Afternoon on 3 continues its occasional series celebrating 100 years since the birth of Messiaen, which focuses on his music in the context of significant themes in French music history and this week examines one of France's most important contributions to Western classical music - Impressionism. The selection of music moves outside France, with the first part of a two-part performance of Rimsky-Korsakov's opera The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh. Nature, mysticism, birdsong and impressionism feature in this recording from Cagliari in Sardinia. Rimsky-Korsakov: The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh, Acts 1 and 2 Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich, ruler of Kitezh ...... Vsevolodovic Kazakov (bass) Princeling Vsevolod Yuryevich, his son ...... Vitaly Panfilov (tenor) Frevoniya ...... Tatiana Monogarova (soprano) Grishka Kuterma ...... Mikhail Gubsky (tenor) Fyodor Poyarok ...... Gevorg Hakobyan (baritone) Teatro Lirico Chorus and Orchestra Alexander Vedernikov (conductor) Rameau: Les Indes galantes BBC National Orchestra of Wales Francois-Xavier Roth (conductor) Daniel-Lesur: 2 Chansons de bord BBC Singers James Morgan (conductor) Janequin: Reveillez vous, cueurs endormis (Le chant des oiseaux) BBC Singers Stephen Cleobury (conductor) Cowie: Lyre-bird motet for a capella choir BBC Singers Stephen Cleobury (conductor) Saint-Saens: Violin Concerto No 3 in B minor, Op 61 Philippe Graffin (violin) BBC National Orchestra of Wales Thierry Fischer (conductor) Ravel: Ma mere l'oye - ballet BBC National Orchestra of Wales Thierry Fischer (conductor).