Originating in the Jeune Philharmonie du Val de Marne, a professionally trained orchestra founded in 1981, the Orchestre Léon Barzin (OLB) began to develop rapidly in 1994. From its beginnings this orchestra has never ceased to give concerts before the most diverse audiences, playing the masterpieces of orchestral repertoire as well as less well-known scores and contemporary compositions. Thus, more than 120 works have been given their public première, some of them having since found a place in the repertoire. As conductor and artistic director, Jean-Jacques Werner has endeavoured to give his ensemble style, homogeneity, dynamic collective playing, and an amalgam of timbres and colours, emphasising the instrumental quality of each of the musicians who make up the ensemble. From this in-depth work results the musicians’ desire to make each concert or recording an event, an artistic success. The orchestra also has a pedagogical vocation, lending its support to training programmes in conducting and enabling young conductors to have access to a symphony orchestra, bringing the appointment of Alexis Roy as associate conductor of the OLB in 2010.