School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Orchestre Lamoureux

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Orchestre Lamoureux is a French symphony orchestra from Paris, founded in 1881 by the violinist and conductor Charles Lamoureux under the name Société des Nouveaux-Concerts. It is one of the oldest orchestral societies in Paris still active, and is also known as the Concerts Lamoureux. For a long time the orchestra gave weekly concerts. After the founder's death it remained an independent organisation, which weathered several financial crises in the twentieth century.

Music and breakthrough

The orchestra played an important role in French musical life. It gave the premières of Chabrier's España in 1883, Fauré's Pavane in 1888, Debussy's Nocturnes in 1900 and 1901 and La mer in 1905, and of Ravel's Menuet antique in 1930 and his Piano Concerto in G in 1932. Its principal conductors included Charles Lamoureux, Camille Chevillard, Paul Paray, Albert Wolff, Eugène Bigot, Jean Martinon, Igor Markevitch and, later, Yutaka Sado and Fayçal Karoui.

Influence

On record the orchestra recorded a broad repertoire: Debussy's La mer, Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, the Carmen and L'Arlésienne Suites by Bizet, Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky and operettas such as La Périchole and La Belle Hélène. The orchestra stands for a French orchestral sound and for the modern music of around 1900. That makes it important for anyone who wants to understand how the tone colours of Debussy and Ravel found their way into later jazz and film music.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to La mer by Debussy, a work that this orchestra premièred in 1905, and notice how the orchestra evokes waves and colours without a clear melody. Hear how woodwinds and strings are used in layers.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists