Stéphane Denève brought in the New Year with the Orchestre National de France, conducting three performances on the 30 and 31 December at the Radio France Auditorium in Paris, and on the 02 January at the Grand Théâtre de Provence. The programme featured Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and excerpts from Bizet’s L’Arlésienne and Offenbach’s La Gaîté parisienne, concluding with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris, with pianist Lisa de la Salle as soloist. The programme can be streamed via the ARTE Concert website now.
Marie-Aude Roux from Le Monde wrote, “The rapport between him and the musicians is immediately cordial. Their complicity is palpable from the very start of a lively-silver Bernstein, with an upbeat rhythm and voluble lines, delivering the exhilaration of sonic pleasure in a comical, hectic atmosphere…Stéphane Denève’s cheerful manner and extrovert baton give body and soul to this music.”
The New Year concerts formed part of a 5-date national tour with the Orchestra that concluded on the 09 January at the Maison de la Culture in Amiens. Ahead of the tour, Denève gave an interview to Radio France to talk about the upcoming concerts, as well as his career.
Photo Credit: Copyright Radio France
