An unforgettable national holiday in Paris

June 27, 2025 |

The OM concert at the Philharmonie de Paris on June 24 will live long in the memory.

Fortunately, this timeless moment was captured and broadcast by France Musique, because anyone who attended or took part might think it was just a dream.

The French public was eagerly awaiting OM’s return to France, as the packed and feverish crowd proved. And they were not disappointed! From the very first work – Ravel’s La Valse, delivered with boundless energy – the applause was frank and resounding.

The audience also greeted with great curiosity Eko-Bmijwang, a meditative work by native composer Barbara Assiginaak. They listened attentively, almost solemnly, throughout this spiritually-infused piece.

Then it was time to welcome back the darling of the Parisian public: Alexandre Kantorow. From the very first notes of Saint-Saëns’ Concerto No. 2, he literally captivated the 2,000-strong audience. A true magician, he enchanted the hall, with the musicians seemingly at one with him. This rare communion was underscored by France Musique host Clément Rochefort, who interviewed the soloist and remarked: “You’d swear you’d been playing together for 15 years!”

Touched by so much enthusiasm from the audience, Alexandre Kantorow offered an encore of Tchaikovsky’s Pas de deux for piano from The Nutcracker – a delicate nod to the second part of the program.

Emotions peaked after intermission, when the orchestra launched into a stirring performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony. The Philharmonie, the venue marking the end of their first-ever European tour in 2017, seemed to rekindle many memories. As the musicians rose to take their bows, many had tears in their eyes, deeply touched by the applause and cheers of a conquered audience.

After a number of bows, the applause turned into a unanimous clapping of hands, demanding an encore. Yannick Nézet-Séguin returned to the stage, Quebec flag in hand. Joined by other musicians brandishing the fleurdelysé, he launched into the first notes of Quebec’s unofficial anthem: Gens du pays. Then, turning to the audience, he taught them the refrain, so that they could all sing along to this tune by Gilles Vigneault, who was celebrating his 50th birthday that very day.

What a wonderful way to celebrate our national holiday – and to bring our culture to the heart of Paris!