Orchestre National de France (Symphony Orchestra)

Founded: 1934 - Paris, France

The Orchestre National de France (French National Orchestra) (= ONF) is a symphony orchestra run by Radio France. It has also been known as the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française (French National Radio Broadcasting Orchestra) and Orchestre National de l'Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF).

Since 1944, the ONF has been based in the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, where it occasionally plays in the pit for opera productions. Some concerts are also held in the Olivier Messiaen Auditorium in the Maison de Radio France (formerly known as Maison de la Radio). Radio France records all its concerts. In 1954, the orchestra, conducted by Hermann Scherchen, premièred Edgard Varèse's Déserts. During the 1950's, the orchestra recorded numerous compositions by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos under his direction, for EMI.

The current music director of the ONF is Daniele Gatti, as of September 2008. Kurt Masur, the previous music director, holds the title of honorary music director.

Music Directors

Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht (1934-1944)
Manuel Rosenthal (1944-1947)
Roger Désormière (1947-1951)
André Cluytens (1951-1960)
Maurice Le Roux (1960-1967)
Charles Munch (1962-1968)
Jean Martinon (1968-1973)
Sergiu Celibidache (1973-1975)
Lorin Maazel (1977-1991)
Charles Dutoit (1991-2001)
Kurt Masur (2002-2008)
Daniele Gatti (2008-Present)

Source: Wikipedia Website; Orchestre National de France Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (January 2010)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Ljubomir Romansky

Orchestra

BWV 244 [2^nd]

-

Orchestra & Choir

BWV 56, BWV 82, BWV 158 [w/ bass-baritone Matthias Goerne]

Recordings of Arrangements/Transcriptions of Bach’s Works

Conductor

As

Works

Igor Markevitch

Orchestra

Bach-Markevitch: Musical Offering BWV 1079, arranged for three orchestral groups and solo quartet

Links to other Sites

Orchestre National de France (Official Website) [French]

Orchestre National de France (Wikipedia)