University of Virginia Library

Series Presents
Second Concert

Combining some of the best performers in
the world into France's first prestige orchestra,
the Orchestre de Paris will appear tonight in the
second Artist Series concert of the year.

Formed in June of 1967, the Orchestre de
Paris was a result of the French department of
Cultural Affairs. The members of the orchestra
not only had to prove their ability, but be
approved by a jury headed by Charles Munch,
the Music Director of the orchestra. Mr. Munch
had received his position at the unanimous
decision of the French General Assembly. The
majority of the performers had belonged to the
now defunct Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts
du Conservatoire. Others were found in
other. French Associations, or from other countries.

Assisting Mr. Munch is Serge Baudo, who
will be conducting the performance at the
University.. Mr. Munch's other assistant is
Jean-Pierre Jacquillet. Both men have some
international renown for their performances.

As part of the first American tour, the
Orchestre will appear at the University. The
piano soloist for the concert will be Alexis
Weissenburg. Mr. Weissenburg is another performer
of international capabilities, having
played with every major orchestra in the world.
He began his career at the age of fourteen in
Israel. Tours of South Africa, Egypt, Turkey,
and South America followed. Adding a tour of
the United States, beginning with Eugene
Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, he
began annual tours of Europe, America, South
America, and the Near East. The New York
Times has said of his performances, "A
triumph! There is no doubt about it - Weissenburg
is a powerhouse."

The program of the Orchestre changes every
two weeks, the purpose being to provide the
greatest diversity to the public and the greatest
practice to the performers. Not only has the
Orchestre made it the practice to bring in
outside outstanding artists like Mr. Weissenburg
and a host of guest conductors, but the sometimes
break their organization down into quartets
and stringed ensembles to provide many
concerts at the same time.

Tonight's concert will feature Beethoven's
Overture to "Egmont," Opus 84. They will
preform Prokoviev's Concerto No. 3 in C
major and Symphonie fantastique, Opus 14a by
Berlioz. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m. and
will occur in University Hall.