Biography
The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse is a French orchestra based in Toulouse. It acts as both a symphony orchestra whose main residence is Toulouse's Halle aux Grains, and the permanent orchestra of the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse.
Initially named Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, the orchestra began as the opera orchestra of Théâtre du Capitole. Notable past music directors of the orchestra have included André Cluytens (beginning in 1932) and Georges Prêtre (1951–1955), but the Orchestre du Capitole rose to international prominence during Michel Plasson's tenure as music director, from 1968 to 2003.
Until Plasson's era, the orchestra was a purely operatic orchestra, rarely playing symphonies and almost never touring. Within twelve years, Plasson's insistence of higher artistic standards and goals had improved the orchestra's reputation. He began a period of critically acclaimed recordings and tours, and in 1980 the orchestra was bestowed the title… of a French 'National' orchestra. Since 1974, the Halle aux Grains became the orchestra's main concert hall. It was originally a market and was later converted to a boxing arena, before becoming the orchestra's principle symphonic residence.
Plasson's personality, his insistence on playing and recording French repertoire (especially rarely played pieces), and his record contract with EMI, combined to make the orchestra the “reference” French orchestra, the most visible and most visibly French, with approximately one hundred records released. He also created a fundraising group called 'Aida', which has many large business donors, most notably Airbus, as well as banks. 'Aida' contributes to the orchestra's international touring calendar, and recordings. It was early in Plasson's tenure that the orchestra began to tour internationally, and it continues to tour today.
On May 9, 2003, Plasson announced his decision not to renew his contract after August 31, 2003. He complained that planned works in the Halle aux Grains would impair the 2003-2004 concert season. Unofficially, his departure was caused by the city's refusal to increase the orchestra's payroll. In 2004, Plasson was made “honorary conductor” of the orchestra.
In 2005, the city named Tugan Sokhiev principal guest conductor and musical adviser of the orchestra. Sokhiev became the orchestra's music director and principal conductor in September 2008. Artistically, Sokhiev moved the orchestra away from the French sound and traditions cultivated by Plasson. In 2011 the French national paper Le Figaro reviewed the top 25 orchestras in France. The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse was listed among the three best orchestras in France, one of the so-called 'Trio de l'excellence'.
In 2015, Sokhiev signed a new contract with the orchestra through 2019. In March 2022, Sokhiev resigned as the orchestra's music director, citing pressure to make a public statement regarding the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Tarmo Peltokoski first guest-conducted the orchestra in September 2022, and returned for an additional guest-conducting appearance in October 2022. In December 2022, the orchestra announced the appointment of Peltokoski as its next music director, effective with the 2025-2026 season, with an initial contract of four seasons. Peltokoski is to hold the title of music director-designate for the 2024-2025 season.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA licence)
Current members
- Sébastien Plancade
- Beverley Jones
- Jacques Noureddine
- Jacques Deleplancque
- Tugan Sokhiev
- Vincent Cazanave-Pin
- Christophe Vivies
- David Minetti
- Lionel Belhacene
- François Laurent (3)
- Florence Fourcassie
- Jean-Michel Picard
- Gaëlle Thouvenin
- Malcolm Stewart
- Fabien Dornic
- Daniel Rossignol
- Bruno Dubarry
- Philippe Tribot
- Benoit Chapeaux
- Gaël Seydoux
- Serge Krichewsky
- Ion Georgescu
- Isolde Ferenbach
- Louis Seguin
- Jean-Claude Cadrés
- Gilles Apparailly
- Aline Marciacq
- Pierre Cordier (2)
- David Locqueneux
- Sharon Roffman
- Sarah Iancu
- Benoît Hui
- Guilhem Boudrant
- Estelle Bartolucci
- Maïlyss Caïn
- Élise Robineau
- Sandrine Tilly
- Gabrielle Zaneboni
- Julie Guédon
- Vincent Pouchet
- François Lugue
- Hugo Blacher
- Damien-Loup Vergne
- Juliette Gil
- Kristi Gjezi
- Florianne Tardy
- Laurent Rossi (2)
- Fabien Mastrantonio
- Aurore Dassesse
- Christophe Dewarumez
- Claude Roubichou
- Jasper Mertens
- Louise Ognois
- Kei Tojo
- Camille Laurent
- Pierre Gil (2)
- Léa Birnbaum
- Ugo Vacchetta
- Haruka Katayama (2)
1Discography
| Artist | Title | Year | Format | Classification | Gem, favourite, must-listen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Erik Satie, Orchestre National Du Capitole De Toulouse, Michel Plasson | Oeuvres Orchestrales | - | CD Album, Reissue | Classical / Baroque |
25Songs
| Song | Year | Records |
|---|---|---|
| 3ème Gnossienne | - | |
| Cancan Grand Mondain | - | |
| Choral - Prélude Du Rideau Rouge | - | |
| Final - Suite Au "Prélude Du Rideau Rouge" | - | |
| Grande Ritournelle | - | |
| Gymnopédie N° 1 | - | |
| Gymnopédie N° 3 | - | |
| I. Choral | - | |
| I. Modéré | - | |
| I. Ouverture. II. Projectionnette - Rideau | - | |
| II. Fugue Litanique | - | |
| II. Peu Vite | - | |
| III. Autre Choral | - | |
| III. Entrée De La Femme. IV. Musique | - | |
| III. Modéré | - | |
| IV. Fugue De Papier | - | |
| IV. Temps De Marche | - | |
| Le Piccadilly | - | |
| Marche Franco-lunaire | - | |
| V. Entrée De Borlin. VI. Danse De La Porte Tournante | - | |
| V. Modéré | - | |
| Valse Du Mystérieux Baiser Dans L'Oeil | - | |
| VII. Entrée Des Hommes. VIII. Danse Des Hommes. IX. Danse De La Femme. X. Final | - | |
| XI. Musique De Rentrée. XII. Rentrée Des Hommes. XIII. Rentrée De La Femme. XIV. Les Hommes Se Dévêtissent. XV. Danse De Borlin Et De La Femme. XVI. Les Hommes Regagnent Leur Place | - | |
| XVII. Danse De La Brouette. XVIII. Danse De La Couronne. XIX. Le Danseur Repose La Couronne. XX. La Femme Rejoint Son Fauteuil. XXI. La Queue Du Chien | - |