O.N. De France/Bernstein - Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Albert Roussel: Symphony No. 3, Ambroise Thomas: Overture to Raymond, Camille Sai

This French programme offers a stimulating blend of celebrated repertoire as well as �special tips� from the Romantic era to the early 20th century. These concerts of Leonard Bernstein were unanimously hailed in the press, both for the dynamism and brio of a conductor at the peak of his artistic powers, and for the unmistakable signs of rejuvenation of the Orchestre National de France. Featuring Hector Berlioz� Symphonie fantastique, subtitled Episode in the Life of an Artist, Albert Roussel�s Symphony No. 3 � Leonard Bernstein is, in a sense, paying homage to his friend and benefactor Serge Koussevitzky, who commissioned the work for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1930 - Ambroise Thomas�s sparkling, Rossini-like Overture to Raymond and Camille Saint-Sa�ns� Le Rouet d�Omphale it was �� one of the most wonderful Berlioz concerts that you can dream of �� (Le Monde).