Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique

BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conductor Jaime Martin are joined by pianist Steven Osborne. This concert opens with spring light in Lili Boulanger’s D’un matin de printemps, capturing the vibrant energy and shifting colours of a spring morning. Next, Steven Osborne performs Schubert’s lyrical Allegretto in C major, which leads seamlessly into Beethoven’s bold, unconventional Choral Fantasy. Hurriedly written for his own benefit concert and billed simply as a piano fantasia, the piece starts with a solo piano before expanding into a triumphant finale with full orchestra and chorus.

After the interval, the orchestra performs Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, one of history's most influential symphonic works. Renowned for its autobiographical narrative, the symphony unfolds in vivid scenes of obsession, dreams, and delirium.

Recorded earlier this month at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, and presented by Verity Sharp.

Lili Boulanger: D’un matin de printemps
Schubert: Allegretto in C major
Beethoven: Choral Fantasy
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

Steven Osborne (piano)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Jaime Martin (conductor)

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