The Orchestre National De L'ORTF was a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1934 in France. The ensemble was created by the French Radio Broadcasting Corporation, which was known as the Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF). The purpose of the ensemble was to provide high-quality classical music performances to the French public through radio broadcasts. The Orchestre National De L'ORTF was made up of some of the most talented musicians in France. The ensemble was led by a number of distinguished conductors over the years, including Manuel Rosenthal, Jean Martinon, and Sergiu Celibidache. The ensemble also featured many notable soloists, including pianist Martha Argerich, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Throughout its history, the Orchestre National De L'ORTF performed a wide range of classical music repertoire, including works by composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, and Stravinsky. The ensemble was particularly known for its performances of French music, including works by Debussy, Ravel, and Saint-Saëns. One of the highlights of the Orchestre National De L'ORTF's history was its performance at the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels. The ensemble performed a program of French music that was broadcast live to millions of people around the world. The performance was widely praised for its high level of musicianship and helped to establish the Orchestre National De L'ORTF as one of the premier classical music ensembles in Europe. Over the years, the Orchestre National De L'ORTF received many awards and accolades for its performances. In 1960, the ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for its recording of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé. The ensemble also received numerous awards from the French government, including the prestigious Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Despite its many successes, the Orchestre National De L'ORTF faced financial difficulties in the 1970s. In 1974, the French government decided to dissolve the ORTF and replace it with a new broadcasting corporation. As a result, the Orchestre National De L'ORTF was disbanded. Today, the legacy of the Orchestre National De L'ORTF lives on through its many recordings and the memories of those who heard its performances. The ensemble's commitment to excellence and its dedication to bringing classical music to a wider audience continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world.

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