François Xavier Roth's challenge is to play four centuries of music with the same enthusiasm and the same focus on excellence. In 2003, this enterprising conductor brought together a new generation of musicians who were able to use both ancient and modern instruments in a single concert. The Les Siècles orchestra was born. The first meeting between the Mécénat Musical Société Générale association and Les Siècles took place in 2007. The orchestra was then featured on the short programme broadcast on France 2, “Presto”, which presented classical music in an entertaining way and of which the association was a partner. The association's support intensified in 2010.
Since 2013, the orchestra has been a major player in the “Playing for Philharmonie” project: more than 400 Societe Generale employees, instrumentalists and amateur choristers of all levels, rehearse a programme for a year, mentored by musicians from Les Siècles. Les Siècles has a special relationship with its audience, having been invited to perform on the most important international stages, in Lisbon, Tokyo, London and Venice. In order to give as many people as possible the chance to hear classical music, the orchestra is stepping up its educational activities with children in schools and conservatories, as well as its initiatives in hospitals and prisons.
We have been supporting Les Siècles since 2010.