L’Orchestre de
Chambre Français
L’Orchestre de Chambre Français, acclaimed as one of
France’s best chamber orchestras, was founded in 1989 and is now based in
Senlis, near Paris, where it is the resident orchestra of the 18th
century Théâtre Impérial in Compiège.
L’Orchestre de Chambre Français is equally at home in baroque,
classical, romantic and contemporary music, and takes a particular pleasure in
bringing forgotten masterpieces to life.
Its talented instrumentalists play orchestral music
in the spirit of chamber music. Many of
its members are keen string quartet players and bring with them that particular
passion for individual and collective music-making, with the energy, technique
and attention to ensemble that kind of music requires.
L’Orchestre de Chambre Français has been an instrument for high quality music-making in particular in Paris (Salle Pleyel, Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Palais des Congrès, Eglise St. Germain des Prés, Hôtel de Lassay, etc…) and throughout France.
In June 2005, they made their debut playing at the
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Their
frequent overseas tours have been met with a delighted reception, particularly
in Spain where the orchestra is one of the most sought after French chamber
groups, with appearances at the prestigious Santander International Festival,
the Montserrat International Music Week, the International Festivals of
Palencia and Gandia and concerts in Madrid, Grenada, and many other cities.
The orchestra also performs regularly in Switzerland
(Tonhalle/Zürich, Stadt Casino/Basel & Genève, Théâtre Baulieu/Lausanne),
Holland (Concertgebouw/Amsterdam), Italy (the Roma International Festival of
Sacred Music, Teatro Regio di Parma, La Pieta Church/Venezia, Teatro
Verdi/Fiorenzuola), Belgium (Palais des Beaux-Arts/Brussels), Germany, England
and the Czech Republic (the Trutnov Autumn Festival).
The ensemble made its debut in the USA with a
concert in November 2002, in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, in New
York. In March 2005, they performed at
the National Gallery in Washington, DC, and with the Baltimore Choral Arts
Society in Baltimore. Their 2006-07
season will see their Mexico City debut, where they will be playing with the
great Austrian pianist, Paul Baruda-Skoda. This tour will also take them across
the United States to the Lane Series at the University of Vermont and to
Canada, where they will perform at Queens University. In spring 2007, they will
be touring with violinist, Kyung Sun Lee, from the East Coast in the Music
Worcester series in Massachusetts to the West Coast in Palm Springs,
California, and up the Oregon Coast.
The orchestra performs regularly with well-known
French soloists: Maurice André, Guy Touvron, Eric Aubier (trumpet), Jean-Claude
Pennetier, Gérard Caussé (viola), and Frédéric Lodéon (conductor and cellist).
The orchestra has recorded several CDs, among which
a special “Homage à l‘Europe” received
an award at the famous Victoires de la Musique on French National TV.
L’Orchestre de Chambre Français is supported by the French Ministry of Culture,
the Council of the Oise, the town of Senlis, and the Picardy Regional Council.
5/06