Photo : Orchestre Colonne
"The Dream Symphony" at La Seine Musicale
Imagine a curated journey through orchestral history where the most breathtaking movements of the greatest symphonies are woven into a single, seamless narrative. It is a rare chance to hear Mozart, Brahms, and Beethoven reimagined alongside daring new compositions in an iconic riverside concert hall.
La Seine Musicale
About
The Orchestre Colonne presents a new concept titled La Symphonie Rêvée at La Seine Musicale on Sunday, June 6, 2027. This 1-hour and 30-minute concert weaves together iconic movements from Mozart, Bizet, Brahms, and Beethoven into a cohesive musical journey, complemented by works from Poulenc, Holmès, and a world premiere by Baptiste Retailleau. Under the baton of conductor Benjamin Levy, the performance also features a mysterious piece to be discovered on site. Tickets are available at various price points, ranging from 10€ for reduced entry up to 50€.
This season, the Orchestre Colonne offers you a new concept: the Dream Symphony. The principle? Composing a symphony from the most beautiful movements of the great symphonies, chosen for their intensity, beauty, and power to move. Rather than a simple succession of pieces, this symphony functions like a journey: emotions echo each other, contrasts surprise, and the best of the classical repertoire is revealed in a new light.
This very first Dream Symphony combines the first movement of Mozart's Symphony No. 41, the second movement of Bizet's Symphony in C, the third movement of Brahms' Symphony No. 3, and the finale of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, brought together in a coherent and vibrant orchestral fresco.
Opening the concert is the Air de Yamina by Augusta Holmès, from La Montagne Noire, premiered on February 10, 1895, at the Paris Opera by Édouard Colonne. A composer highlighted throughout the Orchestra's season, Holmès displays remarkable grace and intensity here. The second movement of Francis Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos, inspired notably by Mozart's Concerto No. 27, completes the program in a brilliant dialogue between soloists and orchestra.
During this concert, we make way for the talents of tomorrow with a creation for cello and orchestra by young composer Baptiste Retailleau, performed by Florestan Genovesi, winner of the 2026 Édouard Colonne competition!
The Édouard Colonne competition is supported by the following partners: AJ – Atelier des Cuivres, Atelier Coquoz, Le Petit Vitrezay, Sebim, Talents & Violon’celles.
PROGRAM
THE DREAM SYMPHONY OP.1
1st movement: MOZART · Symphony No. 41
2nd movement: BIZET · Symphony No. 1
3rd movement: BRAHMS · Symphony No. 3
4th movement: BEETHOVEN · Symphony No. 5
POULENC · Concerto for Two Pianos (2nd movement)
HOLMÈS · Air de Yamina
RETAILLEAU* · World premiere for cello and orchestra
THE INVITATION TO THE VOYAGE · Mystery work to be discovered during this concert
*In partnership with the composition class of Olivier Calmel from the 12th Arrondissement Conservatory
Duration: 1h30 (with intermission)
CAST
Benjamin LEVY · Conductor
Alice POWER, Victor DEMARQUETTE · Pianos
Lily BERTHELEMY · Mezzo-soprano
Florestan GENOVESI · Winner of the 2026 Édouard Colonne Competition – Cello
Orchestre Colonne
Our take on this event
On Sunday, June 6, 2027, from 16:00 to 17:30, La Seine Musicale hosts the Orchestre Colonne for the premiere of La Symphonie Rêvée. Conducted by Benjamin Levy, this event offers a unique musical experience, structuring classic repertoire into a vibrant, emotional narrative. The program features Augusta Holmès' Air de Yamina, Francis Poulenc's Double Concerto for pianos—performed by Alice Power and Victor Demarquette—and a world premiere for cello and orchestra by Baptiste Retailleau, performed by 2026 Édouard Colonne competition winner Florestan Genovesi.
The central symphonic sequence includes movements from Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, Bizet’s Symphony in C, Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, and the finale of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Accompanied by mezzo-soprano Lily Berthelemy, the orchestra will also perform an unannounced piece titled L'Invitation au voyage. This creation is supported by partners including Atelier des Cuivres and Talents & Violon'celles, and produced in collaboration with the 12th arrondissement Conservatory.
Tickets are priced at 50€, 40€, 30€, 20€, and 10€ for the reduced rate. The performance lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes an intermission.
