Customer Reviews

Les Demoiselles De Rochefort

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When i first saw 'Les Demoiselles de Rochefort', i was very moved by the music, written by Michel Legrand and lyrics by Jacques Demy. The movie itself is something extraordinary; a classic american musical set in France, and made by a french director Jacques Demy. The film starred Gene Kelly, famous from 'Singin In The Rain' and other classic acts. Other famous actors are George Chakiris ("Bernardo" in West Side Story), Catherine Deneuve among others.

The music is very romantic and a little nostalgic, and varied; the soundtrack featurs both jazz-tunes and rumba. My favourites are "Nous Voyageons de ville en ville" and "Marins,amis, amants ou maris", songs that makes you wanna dance

Simply a great piece of music from a great film

I would recommend this album to jazz fans and audiences who loved "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg", the excellent movie by Jacques Demy from the 60's. We have the same composer here, but his creation does not reach the beauty and romanticism of the former. It has the same operatic structure as The Umbrellas but the themes are not so catchy as those. Anyhow, it's a good album, wonderfully recorded. It's practically discontinued and very expensive, if you're lucky enough to find it.

If you are a fan of Michel Legrand, especially his music of the mid to late sixties, then this is for you. However if you are a fan of Gene Kelly, Catherine Deneuve, George Chakiris or just about anyone else in this film and you want to hear them, forget it. The only person in the film who actually does his or her own singing is Danielle Darrieux.

throw all of your other music away...this is the only record you need.

Besides the original story told in there, the fantastic combination of jazz and other european rythms makes Gershwin not really innovating at his time. Music flows with a rythm and an energy, that Ive never felt in any other musical. Demy et Legrand are a couple that many people would have wanted them to make more fantastic music to watch, sing an dance. If any of you want to hear more, see Les Parapluies de Cherbourg.

I bought this album years ago and have always thought it was terrific. I have always wished that it had been recorded in English, however the French singing is quite romantic.