Salonen and Orchestre de Paris Make Shanghai Debut

Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Finnish conductor and composer, will take the helm of the Orchestre de Paris as its chief conductor next year. This weekend, at the Oriental Art Center, he leads the orchestra for their first joint performance in Shanghai, joined by French violinist Renaud Capuçon.

The Orchestre de Paris traces its origins back to the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris, founded in 1828. The two concerts in Shanghai center on French repertoire while also embracing Nordic, Eastern European, and Austro-German classics, showcasing both the orchestra's distinctive character and Salonen's broad conducting mastery.

Friday's concert focused on French Impressionism – Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," Ravel's "Ma mère l'Oye" suite, and Debussy's "La Mer." Capuçon performed Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 2.

"I first visited China in 2004," Capuçon said in an interview before Friday's concert. "I'm amazed at all the development and the number of new concert halls."

"Chinese audience is a very focused public, which is very rewarding for artists," he added. "There are very young audiences too. It's a country where people still buy records, so I'm always happy to be back."

Saturday's concert will open with Debussy's "Rondes de printemps" (from "Images"), alongside Sibelius's Symphony No. 5. Capuçon returns to the classical repertoire with Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3.

Performance info

Dates: April 18, 7:30pm

Tickets: 280-1,680 yuan

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center 上海东方艺术中心

Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd 丁香路425号