Spain Through French Glasses: Ravel and Debussy

Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Jörgen van Rijen, trombone

DEBUSSY: "Nuages" and "Fêtes" from Nocturnes
JIMMY LÓPEZ: Shift, Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
RAVEL: Alborada del gracioso
POULENC: Suite from The Does (Les biches)
RAVEL: Rapsodie espagnole

Ludovic Morlot, one of today’s foremost French conductors, leads a program of luminous and inviting French music – works alive with dance rhythms, nocturnal magic, and brilliant color. At its center is Shift, a virtuosic trombone concerto by Composer in Residence Jimmy López. Performed by Jörgen van Rijen and co commissioned by the San Diego, Rotterdam, and San Francisco symphonies, the four movement work explores the elements – Sound, Water, Light and Sonoluminescence, where vibrating sound waves create bubbles that glow with light.

Debussy’s Nocturnes evokes atmospheric scenes inspired by Whistler’s paintings: drifting Clouds and festive Celebrations. Ravel’s dazzling Alborada del Gracioso, steeped in Spanish flair, radiates rhythm and wit, while his earlier Rapsodie espagnole sways between habanera languor and fiery malagueña energy.

Poulenc’s Les biches (The Does) suite captures 1920s Paris at its most spirited – modern women at play, love affairs, and cocktails in chic salons, animated by jazzy exuberance and sly humor.

Together these works celebrate French imagination in all its forms – mystery and sunlight, elegance and daring – culminating in a concert that bridges impressionist beauty, modern brilliance, and vibrant contemporary sound.