Festival Présences

Festival Présences: The Showcase for Contemporary Musical Creation

Since 1991, the Festival Présences has been the highlight of Radio France's season dedicated to contemporary music. Founded by Claude Samuel, a musicologist and radio personality, this festival was conceived as a meeting space between living composers and the general public, within the prestigious walls of the Maison de la Radio.

A Unique Concept: The Composer in Residence

Each edition of Présences is built around the portrait of a composer or a strong theme. This common thread allows for an in-depth exploration of a creator's universe, from their early works to their latest commissions, by multiplying listening angles: symphonic concerts, chamber music, recitals, lectures, and round tables. Among the composers honored over the years are Henri Dutilleux, Kaija Saariaho, George Benjamin, Pascal Dusapin, Magnus Lindberg, Unsuk Chin, and Thierry Escaich.

Radio France's Musical Forces Serving Creation

The festival benefits from a considerable asset: Radio France's permanent musical ensembles. The Orchestre National de France, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, and the Chœur de Radio France perform a significant part of the programming, ensuring an exceptional level of interpretation for often demanding works. These ensembles are joined by ensembles specializing in contemporary music, such as the Ensemble intercontemporain, the Ensemble Recherche, or the Klangforum Wien.

Each edition features numerous world premieres, commissioned by Radio France from the most important composers on the international scene. This artistic patronage makes Présences a major player in the renewal of the contemporary orchestral and chamber music repertoire.

The Maison de la Radio et de la Musique: An Exceptional Venue

The Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, inaugurated in 1963 and renovated in 2014 with the opening of the 1,461-seat Auditorium, offers a remarkable acoustic and architectural setting. The Auditorium, Studio 104, and the Radio France creation studio host the festival's various concert formats, from symphonic orchestra to electroacoustic music and chamber music.