The Societe Generale team spirit strikes a chord with Les Siècles

The Playing for salle Pleyel project was revived to mark Societe Generale 150th anniversary. This year, over 250 amateur musicians and choir members among the Group’s employees were involved in preparing a concert with the Les Siècles Orchestra, conducted by François-Xavier Roth.

For its second event, the Playing for salle Pleyel project, which is a unique initiative in the corporate world, brought together over 250 choir members and musicians, all from Societe Generale, at every level of musicianship, and from all business lines and management levels.
To mark the 150th anniversary of the Group, this symphonic ensemble gave three concerts, at Salle Pleyel in Paris on 16 and 17 November, and in Lyon on 18 November, under the direction of François-Xavier Roth, one of the most charismatic and entrepreneurial orchestra conductors of his generation.
The ensemble performed excerpts from around ten works from the major repertoire, including March No. 1 from Pomp and Circumstance, by Edward Elgar, Carmen by Georges Bizet, Pavane by Gabriel Fauré, and West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein.
The concerts given by the entire ensemble were the result of over one year of preparations and rehearsals led by the musicians and choirmasters of the Les Siècles Orchestra, in rooms made available at the La Défense Head Office.

Pavane by Gabriel Fauré performed by Playing for salle Pleyel last November:

Playing for salle Pleyel could not have happened without the long-term partnership that has united Societe Generale and the world of classical music for 25 years. The values of commitment and sharing that form the basis for this partnership have resulted in the development of an unusual form of sponsorship via Playing for salle Pleyel. This project not only involves the bond between a large company and a major orchestra, but also the bond between the men and women in the company and the orchestra, who are involved in a shared venture.

“The event also assumes a special dimension in this anniversary year. Professional and amateur musicians have enabled us to share in a wonderful venture that combines daring with humility, excelling and the strength of collective endeavour. This was an exceptional moment, brimming with emotion, enthusiasm, and pride” said Frédéric Oudéa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The concert was rebroadcast on Radio Classique on 28 November this year.