Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

The ORTF Children's Chorus was a French classical music ensemble that was founded in 1946 by the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF). The ensemble was made up of children between the ages of 8 and 16 who were selected through a rigorous audition process. The ORTF Children's Chorus quickly gained a reputation for excellence and became one of the most respected children's choirs in the world. The ORTF Children's Chorus was led by a number of talented conductors over the years, including Marcel Couraud, Jacques Jouineau, and Jean-Claude Hartemann. These conductors worked tirelessly to train the young singers and to prepare them for performances of some of the most challenging and complex works in the classical music repertoire. One of the highlights of the ORTF Children's Chorus's early career was their performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem in 1963. This performance was conducted by the composer himself and was widely praised for its emotional depth and technical precision. The ORTF Children's Chorus also performed with some of the most renowned orchestras in the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. In addition to their performances with major orchestras, the ORTF Children's Chorus also recorded a number of albums and made numerous appearances on television and radio. One of their most famous recordings was their rendition of the Christmas carol "Ding Dong Merrily on High," which became a holiday classic in France and around the world. The ORTF Children's Chorus also received a number of awards and honors over the years. In 1967, they were awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for their recording of Francis Poulenc's Gloria. They were also awarded the Prix Italia in 1970 for their performance of Igor Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. Despite their many accomplishments, the ORTF Children's Chorus faced a number of challenges over the years. In 1975, the ORTF was dissolved and replaced by a new organization, Radio France. This change led to a period of uncertainty for the ensemble, as they struggled to find a new home and secure funding for their performances. Despite these challenges, the ORTF Children's Chorus continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s. They also continued to work with some of the most renowned conductors and composers in the world, including Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. In the 1990s, the ORTF Children's Chorus faced another major challenge when their funding was cut by the French government. This led to a period of financial instability for the ensemble, and they were forced to scale back their performances and recordings. Despite these challenges, the ORTF Children's Chorus remained a beloved and respected ensemble throughout their long and storied career. Their performances and recordings continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world, and their legacy as one of the greatest children's choirs in history remains secure.

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