Royal Festival Hall, London. Vacheron Constantin, the oldest watch manufacturer in the world and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR), welcomed 200 guests for a classical music concert led by Musical Director Neeme Järvi, following a rare 3-day UK tour.

Neeme Järvi, who began his tenure as artistic and musical director of the internationally renowned Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in September 2012, was conducting the orchestra in the UK for the first time. The final concert in London (that followed performances in Birmingham and Manchester) gave audiences a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most famous and prolific recording ensembles as the OSR enters an exciting new chapter under the direction of Maestro Järvi.

Performing to a full house, acclaimed Russian pianist Boris Berezovsky delighted the audience by playing the famous piano concerto of Edvard Grieg in A minor, one of the most important music piece of the piano repertoire. The performance also included Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, ‘Pathétique’.

After the concert, the guests adjourned to the Royal Festival Hall’s Weston Roof Pavilion, that boasts spectacular views over the London Embankment, for a private reception.  Joined by the musicians, patrons of the OSR and high profile guests, Marketing Director Julien Marchenoir emphasised the longstanding ties of friendship and partnership between Vacheron Constantin, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and Neeme Järvi.  During the reception, Vacheron Constantin's guests enjoyed an opportunity to admire the precious timepieces from the brand's Patrimony collection.

Vacheron Constantin and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Vacheron Constantin has always been closely involved with the arts. Supporting music is a means of ensuring the continuity of a universe imbued with passion and technique, while partnering the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande is first and foremost a means of contributing to the cultural vitality of a region that saw the birth of Vacheron Constantin. It also highlights the virtues of human creativity and talent, without which art in general – and classical music and fine watchmaking in particular – could never shine so brightly. A world-famous institution endowed with a rich history and a resolutely forward-thinking approach, the OSR displays a constant determination to excel.

Founded in 1918 with just 48 part-time musicians, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande built its reputation with historic recordings and a particular emphasis on French and Russian 20th-century music. Now, almost 100 years later, it has 113 full-time musicians based in Geneva and performs all over the world.