Performance on 3 - Debussy, Messiaen - Wed, 10 December 2008 - Part 1

From St David's Hall, Cardiff. Presented by Petroc Trelawny. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales celebrates the centenary of Olivier Messiaen with a concert under their chief conductor Thierry Fischer. The orchestra is joined by the Ladies of the BBC National Chorus of Wales and soloists Sandrine Piau and Madeleine Shaw for a performance of Debussy's La demoiselle elue - a setting of Rosetti's The Blessed Damozel, which depicts the entry of a dead woman's soul to Paradise. A similar journey is taken in Messiaen's L'Ascension - an affirmation of Messiaen's Catholic beliefs conveyed in strong orchestral colour. Sandrine Piau (soprano) Madeleine Shaw (La recitante) Catrin Finch (harp) Ueli Wiget (piano) Jacques Tchmenkerten (ondes martenot) Ladies of the BBC National Chorus of Wales BBC National Orchestra of Wales Thierry Fischer (conductor) Debussy: La damoiselle elue Messiaen: L'Ascension.