Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France was established by the French broadcasting service in 1937. It has since gained a distinctive reputation among European ensembles, as much for its eclectic repertoire as for its advocacy of the creation of new works, its imaginatively conceived concerts, its guest artists, and its artistic, educational and outreach projects. Mikko Franck – the orchestra’s Music Director since 2015 – embodies its special spirit, values and ambitions in his determination to make each concert a human and musical experience. His contract has been extended until August 2025, ensuring his long-term tenure in this role. 

Jaap van Zweden is appointed as Music Director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. He will take up the role on 1st September 2026, having committed four weeks to the orchestra in the 2025/26 season as Music Director Designate, in Paris and on tour. Previous Music Directors include Myung-Whun Chung, Marek Janowski and Gilbert Amy. Over its history the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France has been conducted by a wealth of major musical personalities, such as Aaron Copland, Gustavo Dudamel, Pierre Boulez, John Eliot Gardiner, Lahav Shani, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Daniel Harding, Marin Alsop and Barbara Hannigan, who was appointed Principal Guest Artist in 2022, for three seasons.

In Paris, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France gives its concerts at either the Auditorium de Radio France or the Philharmonie de Paris. Its regular tours cover both France and major international venues and festivals (the Philharmonie Berlin, Munich Isarphilharmonie, Vienna Konzerthaus, Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, Alte Oper Frankfurt, NCPA in Beijing, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Athens Epidaurus Festival, Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey Festival, Prague Spring Festival and other). 
Mikko Franck and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France have embarked on an ambitious recording programme with the Alpha label. Recent additions to their varied discography include ‘Franck by Franck’, with César Franck’s Symphony in D minor; ‘Strauss’, featuring ‘Burleske’ with pianist Nelson Goerner and ‘Tod und Verklärung’; a selection of works by Claude Debussy: ‘La Damoiselle élue’, ‘Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien’ and ‘Nocturnes’; Stravinsky with ‘Le Sacre du printemps’; Debussy’s ‘Mélodies’, coupled with ‘La Mer’; and Shostakovich Symphony No.14; and Richard Strauss’ ‘Vier letzte Lieder’. Their concerts are available in audio and video formats on France Musique, francemusique.fr and ARTE Concert. The orchestra also collaborates with France Télévisions on Clefs de l’orchestre, an exploration of orchestral repertoire hosted by Jean-François Zygel, as well as developing innovative and original projects that combine different aesthetics and genres for Radio France, such as concerts based on works of fiction for France Culture, ‘Hip Hop Symphonique’ for Mouv’, ‘Symphonique Pop’ for France Inter, ‘Classique & Mix’ for Fip, the podcasts ‘Une histoire et ... Oli’ for France Inter, and ‘Les Contes de la Maison Ronde’ for France Musique.

The orchestra believes in taking an active role in culture and society. Each season, it refreshes its outreach programme with creative projects for schoolchildren, workshops and innovative concert formats (including audience participation), activities in hospitals and prisons, and a partnership with its ‘Orchestre à l’école’ project. The Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Mikko Franck are ambassadors for UNICEF France.