The handsome conductor will conduct 'What Remains Forever': I don't think I look like a 'witch'

Conductor Olivier Ochanine - conductor of the Sun Symphony Orchestra (SSO) - talks with VietNamNet reporters ahead of the National Concert Forever 2025.

- Hello conductor Olivier Ochanine, how do you feel about continuing to take on the position of conductor for the National Concert "What Remains Forever" 2025? How do you usually prepare to conduct an orchestra in a big concert like "What Remains Forever"?

I am deeply honored to continue my role as conductor for the National Concert What Remains Forever 2025. The program has become an important tradition in Vietnam, an occasion not only to honor the country’s history and enduring strength but also to unite people through the power of music - which has the ability to connect and inspire. I feel proud to be a part of such a meaningful event.

When preparing for a major concert like Dieu Con Mai , my process is both meticulous and comprehensive. In one sense, it involves in-depth study of the score: understanding every detail, every intention of the composer/arranger (in this case, Music Director Tran Manh Hung) and anticipating how the orchestra can convey them clearly and convincingly.

But preparation is also about creating a shared vision with the musicians - combining technical virtuosity with an understanding of the meaning and spirit of the piece, so that the performance goes beyond the dry notes on the page.

Conductor Olivier Ochanine wearing ao dai conducts the orchestra at "What Remains Forever" 2024.

Finally, I always think of the audience. A concert of this scale is about creating an experience that resonates not only in the auditorium but also in people's hearts, even after the last note has ended. I still remember the overwhelming feeling of love for my homeland that filled the space during last year's concert, and I hope that will be reproduced, even surpassed.

- With your background, you can absolutely develop your career in a music market larger than Vietnam. Why do you still choose to stay and develop here?

It's true that my current career could have taken me to bigger, more established music markets, but I've always believed that the meaning in an artist's life comes not only from the brightest lights, but also from where the artist can truly make a difference.

When I arrived in Vietnam, I saw great potential. The audiences here were passionate, curious and open to new experiences. The musicians were talented and eager to grow. There was then, and still is, a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up – to shape the identity of an orchestra, nurture it and contribute to the cultural life of an entire nation.

The handsome appearance of the French male conductor. Photo: FBNV

This opportunity is not easy to find in more prominent markets where things have been shaped for centuries.

Being in Vietnam is not just about conducting concerts; it is about helping make music a lasting and transformative part of people’s lives here. I feel like what we are building together will become a legacy, and that to me is much more than just adding another foreign name to my resume.

- At "What Remains Forever" and many other concerts, the moments when you passionately held the baton reminded me of the wizards in the famous "Harry Potter" series. In a way, I think music and magic are very close, the conductor controls the orchestra and the wizard controls magic. What do you think?

I love this comparison although I have to admit I don't really think of myself as a witch! (laughs)

The sublime moment of an orchestra conductor is often likened to a wizard. Photo: FBNV

But there is something magical about the way music works. Unlike a wizard’s wand, my baton does not create sound by itself. It simply channels the energy and imagination of the 70-plus musicians on stage. When we breathe together, express the same phrases, and feel together as one, the result can truly be like casting a spell over the entire room.

Music has long had the ability to transform people’s emotions in an instant, to move them, to comfort them, to inspire them. If conducting sometimes seems like magic, it is because what we orchestrate together cannot be explained by mere mechanics or technique. There is an invisible element that is both very human and very supernatural; and that is why audiences often perceive it as “magical”.

Olivier Ochanine conducts the orchestra at "What Remains" 2024:

Special hobby of handsome French conductor like an actor French conductor Olivier Ochanine attracts audiences with his handsome, elegant appearance and attractive conducting style.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhac-truong-nguoi-phap-olivier-ochanine-toi-khong-nghi-minh-giong-phu-thuy-2436248.html