During lockdown, musicians from the National Orchestra of France found a remarkable way to remain connected and share their talent with audiences worldwide.
Typically, the orchestra performs in the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. However, during the lockdown in France, the National Orchestra of France (ONF) adopted a creative approach to connect with their audience. On a recent Monday, 51 orchestra members gathered virtually to perform Ravel’s “Bolero,” maintaining social distancing. Each musician recorded their part separately from their homes, which was subsequently compiled into a stirring video montage by the radio network France Musique.
“In this delicate period we are enduring, the musicians of the National Orchestra of France aimed, despite the distance, to come together and share their passion: music,” the orchestra stated in their announcement. “We hope that the universal notes from Ravel will bring you warmth and comfort.”
According to the Associated Press, the musicians received an audio track from a previous recording of the performance to use as a backdrop for their recordings. This audio included a metronome to assist them in maintaining timing while playing from various locations. Composer Didier Benetti skillfully condensed the original 15-minute arrangement into a concise four-minute version suitable for social media.
In addition, musicians from the San Antonio Symphony in Texas conducted a similar performance, led by trombonist Steve Peterson, presenting Elgar’s “Nimrod from Enigma” under social distancing guidelines. Furthermore, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in the Netherlands came together online to deliver a heartfelt rendition of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Not to be outdone, the International Opera Choir in Italy performed “Va pensiero” by Giuseppe Verdi, showcasing one of the nation’s most beloved opera pieces for an online audience.
