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Biography
The Orchestre National de France (French National Orchestra) is a symphony orchestra run by Radio France. It has also been known as the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française (French National Radio Broadcasting Orchestra) and Orchestre National de l'Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française (ORTF).
Since 1944, the orchestra has been based in the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, where it occasionally plays in the pit for opera productions. Some concerts are also held in the Olivier Messiaen Auditorium in the Maison de Radio France (formerly known as Maison de la Radio). Radio France records all its concerts. In 1954, the orchestra, conducted by Hermann Scherchen, premièred Edgard Varèse's Déserts. During the 1950s, the orchestra recorded numerous compositions by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos under his direction, for EMI.
The current music director of the ONF is Daniele Gatti, as of September 2008. Kurt Masur, the previous music director, holds the title of honorary music director.
