Martin James Bartlett piano
John Wilson

A hand-picked group of world-class musicians who meet for specific projects, the Sinfonia of London made its live debut at the Proms last year.

The concert gets off to a scintillating start with Walton’s musical depiction of the rascally servant of Italian tradition. The delicate sequence of waltzes which follows, orchestrated by Ravel from his piano original, is given an extra glow by the nostalgic and affectionate coda. Gershwin’s most celebrated piece is still unmatched in its merging of swing and classical traditions.

Debussy’s largest orchestra piece is an attempt to capture in music the many moods of the sea “always endless and beautiful.” The concert closes with the original ballet version of Bolero, fascinatingly different from the familiar orchestral version.