Philippe Rombi in Concert (2025)

PHILIPPE ROMBI IN CONCERT
Music composed by Philippe Rombi
Music conducted by Bastien Stil
Music performed by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Choir: Choeur de Radio France
Piano solos by Philippe Rombi
Soprano: Jolien De Gendt
Violin solos by Ji-Yoon Park
Maison de la Radio et de la Musique – Auditorium
Paris, France

PART 1: MUSIC FROM THE HEART

You’d be hard pressed finding a composer that matches Philippe Rombi’s ability to paint emotions through music.

Rombi’s music effortlessly crosses the sea of emotional experience and is presented in direct and easily understood melodies.

It never feels manufactured or manipulative – it’s direct from the heart of a composer who has lived those emotions and has the skill and craftsmanship to put those feelings into music.

It is for these many reasons that I first fell in love with Rombi’s music long ago, and why I firmly place him as my favorite living composer.

PART 2: ANOTHER CHANCE

I first saw Rombi in concert last year at the ceremony and concert for the World Soundtrack Awards in Belgium. As Rombi’s part during the concert was limited to a handful of pieces, I was definitely left wanting for more, especially given the fact that it was his pieces that left the biggest emotional impact on me.

So when it was announced that a concert fully devoted to Rombi and his ouevre would be happening in Paris – with Rombi himself at the piano no less – I decided there and then that there was absolutely no way I would miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

PART 3: THE CONCERT PROGRAM

The concert took place at the famed auditorium of the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, a beautiful sounding concert hall not far from the Statue de la Liberté in Paris.

Before the Rombi program began, a fabulous suite of music called “Crêtes” by prize-winning composer Samy Thiébault was played under the commanding baton of Bastien Stil.

For the purposes of this review however, please allow me to focus on the Rombi portion of the concert.

In any case, this was the program for the night:

(UPDATE: the whole concert can now be streamed at the Radio France website here!)

PART 4: THE BEST OF THE BEST

Angel
Ouverture et thème principal

What a way to kick off the concert!

Opening with an almost fairytale-like melody, the orchestra soon launched into that gorgeous romantic waltz.  The choir then came in (much to my surprise!) to add a layer of grandeur to the music.  This was followed by a full-bodied performance of Rombi’s grand romantic theme, which no doubt left many in the audience swooning.

The mood changed as we transitioned to a theme that was both dark and foreboding.  The waltz then reappeared, this time sounding like it had been turned on its head.  Deep cellos came in, leading to the return of the choir for a sensational build up and finish.

Sous le sable
Générique de fin

This piece totally killed me.

Opening mournfully, that stupendous violin solo soon entered.  Played with the deepest of anguish by the supremely talented Ji-Yoon Park, the audience could do nothing but listen in transfixed silence.  The violin went even higher, revealing a purity of sound that was impossibly beautiful.  Park ended with a delicately played long note, wrapping up this gorgeous, but deeply aching lament.

Dans la maison
Thème

Urgent strings immediately opened this piece, bobbing up and down until that infectious lone piano line slipped in. A commanding cello solo later appeared with support from the piano to leave a lasting impression.

Le Temps des secrets
Valse des secrets

Oh how I love this piece!

Opening with those innocent lines for flute, the crystal clear sound of lightly shimmering strings soon filled the hall. Then that gorgeous piano theme made its entrance, immediately bringing a huge smile to my face.  But the biggest smile was reserved for what was to come next: the full sweep of strings playing that incredible theme! They certainly don’t write them like this anymore.

As the piece was coming to a close, I glanced over to the pianist as she quickly switched to celesta to end the piece – a perfectly sounding fairytale ending if there ever was one!

Joyeux Noël
Ave Maria

How can I even begin to describe this superlative performance?

Opening mysteriously on strings, four repeating harp notes then played before soprano Jolien De Gendt made her stunning entrance.  I’m not sure how it sounded in the back of the hall, but as I was in the front row, her voice was close, present and quite simply a direct line to the angels.

I know the whole orchestra was playing with her, but damn – I just couldn’t focus on anything but De Gendt and the angelic sound coming out of her mouth.

This was music from the heavens – angelic, peaceful and capable of making you believe that higher beings had put people like Philippe Rombi on Earth to create and share such beauty.

As the piece slowed to a conclusion, I was waiting for those final high notes and De Gendt absolutely knocked them out of the park.

Moved into silence, we all knew that we had experienced something truly special.

Wow.

Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis
Générique

Fun, fun, fun!

This piece opened with the tambourine hammering away as a fun and sly theme for the film’s protagonists made its appearance.  Live acoustic guitar then took on the theme with a barrage of percussion driving this fun and charming piece along.  It later switched gears to some action music before ending with a bang.  Top marks to conductor Bastien Stil for keeping all the orchestral chaos in check!

Visions

This one had definite shades of Bernard Herrmann.

Opening with harp to create a feeling of deep malevolence, this music portrayed psychological horror to a tee. The strings churned with pain and unease as De Gendt returned to provide some truly haunting vocals from the choir balcony.

Astérix « Le Domaine des dieux – Le Secret de la potion magique »

ASTERIX was represented with a rip-roaring suite of exciting action/adventure music that had thunderous percussion throughout. This was highly melodic music that would do gangbusters in any (good) adventure film.

The action music was so frantic throughout that Stil even dropped his baton at one point!  

In any case, he still managed to control the orchestra like a boss, eliciting tremendous applause at the end.  

PART 5: PHILIPPE ROMBI IS IN THE HOUSE

When the applause subsided, Rombi – who had until then been sitting in the audience – was beckoned to the stage by Stil to receive some much needed recognition and love from the audience.

Taking to the microphone, he spotlighted his most cherished collaborators who had been sitting in the audience.

He then gave a short speech in his native French which went right over my head…

While it is true that I could not understand a word he said, it really didn’t matter – his face and body language said it all. He was full of appreciation for the orchestra, the audience, his collaborators and family members, and was so visibly moved to the point of tears.

It was a deeply touching moment that was about to go up a few notches as Rombi perched himself behind the piano to perform with the orchestra for the remainder of the evening.

PART 6: THE BEST OF THE BEST (CONTINUED)

Jeux d’enfants
Ouverture – Love Theme

What a way to introduce Rombi to the audience!

Rombi immediately got the ball rolling with that instantly recognisable cascading piano line. He was soon joined by the flute and harp, leading to the glorious entry of a warm bed of strings to play that iconic main theme in all its romantic glory. 

Rombi later returned to perform the theme in its most heartfelt arrangement for solo piano – it was bare, beautiful and soon performed with the most sensitive of backing from the orchestra.  Calling it “beautiful” just doesn’t do it justice.

Potiche
Générique – Thème de Suzanne

Before this piece was even played, I was wondering who would be performing the whistling.

The score’s wonderful main theme was quickly introduced by the percussionist (of course, who else?) in his star turn as a whistling virtuoso.  Strings soon joined, giving the piece a breezy and old-fashioned romantic feel.  Electric bass and guitar then made their entrance to add to the fun – it was hard not to want to get up and dance in the aisles to the music!

“Thème de Suzanne” came next and my, what a lovely performance that was.  Nostalgic, sweet and full of “amour,” it sounded even better with its original composer performing it with great sensitivity at the piano.

Une nouvelle amie

This was basically “Enfance” from the original soundtrack.

A delicately performed theme on the piano that was both mysterious and romantic, it implied something hidden and waiting to be revealed.  Starting with Rombi on piano with strings later joining to provide support, it was a real treat hearing live.

La Nouvelle Guerre des boutons
Thème

Opening with French horn and then echoed by flute, the piece jumped to life when the main theme appeared via the strings.  It was impossible not to love this joyous piece and performance that was just brimming with optimism and charm.

Une Hirondelle a fait le printemps
Ouverture – Thème de Sandrine

Also opening with French horn, this was another winner featuring guitar and strings to effectively create a carefree, romantic and joyous celebration of life.

Joyeux Noël
Hymne des fraternisés – Ave Maria

The emotional response I had from hearing this piece simply defies description.

Rombi opened with that iconic piano line, getting us ready for the emotional onslaught ahead.

The female choir then joined, singing their lyrics in English as the orchestra joined in gentle support.  As the piece continued to build, high strings entered to give the piece added emotional weight – as if it wasn’t enough already.

I was waiting for De Gendt to come in, and when she finally did – holy smokes – goosebumps and feels all over.  How could this possibly be topped?

The orchestra and Rombi responded by continuing to build, prepping the audience for the Mt. Everest of emotional highs: the convergence of De Gendt, the choir, and the orchestra rising as one with all the passion and joy in the world.

I simply cannot put into words the ecstasy and pure joy of that moment.  The only thing I can really say is that it made me feel glad and truly grateful to be alive to hear a piece of music of that calibre – no other piece of music has EVER made me feel this way, and I doubt there ever will.

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With this truly superlative piece ending the concert, there really was no need for an encore – it would have just ruined this perfect moment.

PART 7: OVERWHELMED WITH EMOTION

Rombi was then beckoned to the centre of the stage to receive the most heartwarming applause you have ever heard.

It was the kind of applause you would hear if something truly special had happened, something well beyond the usual range of emotions.

Rombi was so incredibly surprised and moved by the audience’s applause and adulation that it was almost as if he hadn’t realized how much his music had touched and connected with people. 

As the applause continued, he became so overwhelmed with emotion that he just couldn’t contain himself and quickly left the stage while choking on tears.

It was a deeply touching and unforgettable moment that showed Rombi’s tremendous humility as a composer as well as his deep sensitivity as a person.

PART 8: A POST-CONCERT RECEPTION

Through extreme fortune (thank you so much “G” 😊) I was invited to the post-concert reception – a first for me in the twenty years I’ve been going to film music concerts!

It was great making new friends “in the business” and of course greeting Rombi, members of his family and conductor Bastien Stil.

I may have had one too many wines… haha

PART 9: JUST DO IT

People asked me at the reception if I really did fly to Paris from Japan just for the concert, and I of course replied “yes” – whoops, I mean “Bien sûr!”

If you’ve listened to Philippe Rombi’s music and truly understood the genius of it, you’ll know that my decision to come so far for this concert was perfectly rational.*

* my wife would probably have a few words to say about that!!

So if you ever have an opportunity to hear Philippe Rombi perform his music live in concert, just go – don’t make excuses, and don’t hesitate – JUST GO. 

You’re welcome 😊

PART 10: OVER TO YOU

Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?

And what did you think of my report?  Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.