Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Conductor Bertrand de Billy Organ Benjamin Sheen Debussy Prélude à L'Apres-midi d'une faune Poulenc Organ Concerto Franck Symphony in D minor The distinguished French conductor Bertrand de Billy makes his d.but with the APO, opening with Debussy'slanguid masterpiece of high summer. Then the mighty Auckland Town Hall organ lets rip, as the organist Benjamin Sheen plays Poulenc's darkly Gothic but very French concerto. The composer C.sar Franck, who was an organist in his day job, would have approved. His only symphony, written in the twilight of his career, is an ingenious blend of French sensibility and German form set in a three-movement format. This open, approachable work is laced with one splendid melody after another.