Saint-Saëns illuminated by the Orchestre National de France in Seoul

Alexandre Kantorow, Cristian Măcelaru and the Orchestre National de France

Cristian Măcelaru and the Orchestre National de France

By SangKwon Lee, 30 April 2025

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“revealing how a French orchestra can illuminate every niche of its national repertoire”

Reviewed at Lotte Concert Hall, Seoul on 29 April 2025

Saint-Saëns, La Foi, three symphonic pictures, Op.130

Saint-Saëns, Piano Concerto no. 5 in F major, "Egyptian," Op.103

Saint-Saëns, Symphony no. 3 in C minor "Organ Symphony", Op.78

Alexandre Kantorow, Piano

Orchestre National de France

Cristian Măcelaru, Conductor

Spectacular Orchestre National de France program at Carnegie Hall

Susan Stempleski, 9th November

Cristian Mǎcelaru elicits enthralling performances from the ONF, Daniil Trifonov blends stunning virtuosity with poetic insight in a crowd-pleasing French program.

*****

Dances of reinvention: Măcelaru and the ONF at the Enescu Festival

Edward Sava-Segal, 19th September

Venturing into Gershwin, Rudolf Buchbinder joins an Orchestre National de France programme at the George Enescu International Festival marked by surprises.

****1

Fiesta! Philippe Jordan’s Spanish postcard from the Festival Ravel

Mark Pullinger, 4th September

Born to a Basque mother just ten miles from the Spanish border, Ravel excelled at authentic Spanish flavours as heard in this splendid festival concert by the Orchestre National de France.

*****

Măcelaru and the Orchestre National de France charm at the Proms

Christopher Woodley, 23rd July

Măcelaru's eclectic programming elicits passionate performances from the Orchestre National de France, and Randall Goosby shows his versatility with elegant and impassioned artistry.

****1

Fabien Gabel brings the maison down in Paris with rare Florent Schmitt

Phillip Nones, 12th May

Outstanding performances of two Florent Schmitt scores anchor a winning concert by the Orchestre National de France at the Maison de la Radio.

*****

Kitchen sink Carmen: Măcelaru rounds off the ONF season in style

Mark Pullinger, 23rd July

The percussion department of the Orchestre National de France took their turn in the spotlight for Rodion Shchedrin's ballet.

****1

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SangKwon Lee

SangKwon Lee is a Seoul-based classical music critic whose writing focuses on concert performances and recordings. A contributor to Gramophone and a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, he covers the classical music scene in Korea and internationally.

Saint-Saëns illuminated: Măcelaru, Kantorow, and the Orchestre National de France in Seoul