Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France Returns to Taiwan After 16 Years, Led by Jaap van Zweden

(CNA, Taipei, May 19, by reporter Chao Ching-yu) The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, returning to Taiwan after 16 years, will be led by master conductor and Music Director Designate Jaap van Zweden to perform several of their signature classic French pieces. Founded in 1937, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France is renowned on the world stage for its eclectic programming, advocacy for contemporary music, and its unique French sound. Past music directors of the orchestra include Myung-Whun Chung and Marek Janowski. This time, Music Director Designate Jaap van Zweden will personally lead the orchestra on an Asian tour, joined by acclaimed French pianist Alexandre Kantorow. Kantorow has received honors including the first prize at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition and has been awarded the "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres" and "Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite" by the French government. He was also invited to perform alongside singers Lady Gaga and Céline Dion at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he captivated a global audience by playing Ravel's "Jeux d'eau" on the Seine River amidst a downpour. According to a press release from the organizer Bach Inspiration today, the "Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France × Jaap van Zweden × Alexandre Kantorow" concerts will take place on the 22nd and 24th at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, and on the 23rd at the Weiwuying Concert Hall in Kaohsiung. On the 22nd, the program will feature Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," Prokofiev's "Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major," Debussy's "La mer," and Ravel's "La valse." On the 23rd, the program includes Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," Debussy's "La mer," and Ravel's "La valse." On the 24th, they will perform Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" and Bruckner's "Symphony No. 7 in E Major."