Michel Legrand (1932-2019): 6-10/1/25

[Nick Armstrong]

I’m only 1 programme in to the series but loving it so far. I’ve always found his music seductive since Losey’s The Go-Between first cast its spell.

Whilst I imagine the usual suspects may start sniffing because he’s not Beethoven or Liszt, imho it’s a fascinating, atmospheric and informative edition from Donald M (inspired, aided and abetted by Jeremy Sams)

[vinteuil]

the usual suspects may start sniffing )

... he sniffs

.

[smittims]

I believe he wrote the music for some of Jean-Luc Godard's films, so I will have heard them. But I do think this should have been on Radio 2, where it would have found a more apprecaitive audience. I can't help feling that Sam is trying to coerce us into liking his sort of msuic. .

[Nick Armstrong]

I do think this should have been on Radio 2, where it would have found a more apprecaitive audience.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I think Michel LeGrand’s music contains enough of the classical world in it to more than justify his inclusion. As the series mentioned Windmills Of Your Mind is very Handelian in its harmonic sequences.LeGrand ‘s music in Ne Me Quitte Pas , Chanson de Maxence , Moulins de Mon Coeur relies heavily on circles of fifths (as indeed does a lot of jazz ) , a harmonic construct familiar to Mozart ,Bach , Vivaldi all of whom used it extensively.

The series had some lovely stuff in it but I wonder how far they search3d the discography. They was too much music not written by Michel, too much of his extended jazz piano improvs and nothing from his superb album with Natalie Dessay Entre Elle Et Lui where he reins in his tendency to play overlong piano solos.
It also features a superb Chanson Des Jumelles with Dessay and Patricia Petibon. This fantastically talented French cabaret / musical artist also sings the best and most affecting version of Ne Me Quitte Pas (with real life husband Laurent Nouri) that I’ve ever heard. I defy any real lover of music not to think that’s up there with some of the best opera love duets written.
Non LeGrand vaut bien le voyage (in radio terms.,,)

[Roger Webb]

I believe he wrote the music for some of Jean-Luc Godard's films..........

New Wave directors were 'covered' in the second part, the score concentrated on was Jacques Demy's 'Umbrellas of Cherbourg', but strangely nothing from 'Cléo 5 à 7', directed by Agnès Varda, Demy's wife. 'Cléo' is a very interesting film as Legrand plays the young composer of the song that the diva Cléo is rehearsing (shot in one of the artist studios on Rue de campagne première, 14th), and he accompanies Corinne Marchand as she sings 'Sans toi'....I would have loved to have heard that song, so popular still in France.

I've mentioned this before but there's a wonderful perf of 'Sans toi' with Meow Meow with the ageing Legrand at the piano. Meow Meow played The Mother in the West End run of 'Umbrellas'.

https://youtu.be/K66NWsXyDxE?si=gdIQO_g21zHTK1jj

[gradus]

Michel Legrand and Quincy Jones, two of Madame Boulanger's gifted pupils. A lovely excerpt from Les Parapluies de Cherbourg included in Donald's survey reminded me of all the songs of ML that I enjoy.

[MickyD]

There's a superb documentary on Legrand doing the rounds in selected cinemas in France. Concentrating largely on a very touching last appearance conducting and playing with an orchestra, the film is a superb tribute to his genius with rare footage including Nadia Boulanger.

The really sad, inexplicable thing is that for some reason France didn't give him any ceremony or celebration of his career after his death. Even his widow, Macha Meril, said how disappointed she was about this dreadful omission. One would hope this will be rectified in due course.

PS I am delighted to see Roger on the messageboards again...welcome back!

[Roger Webb]

There's a superb documentary on Legrand doing the rounds in selected cinemas in France. Concentrating largely on a very touching last appearance conducting and playing with an orchestra, the film is a superb tribute to his genius with rare footage including Nadia Boulanger.

The really sad, inexplicable thing is that for some reason France didn't give him any ceremony or celebration of his career after his death. Even his widow, Macha Meril, said how disappointed she was about this dreadful omission. One would hope this will be rectified in due course.

PS I am delighted to see Roger on the messageboards again...welcome back!

Thanks Micky! I wonder if the docu'll be aired on Arte after it's done the rounds of flicks?!

[Ein Heldenleben]

There's a superb documentary on Legrand doing the rounds in selected cinemas in France. Concentrating largely on a very touching last appearance conducting and playing with an orchestra, the film is a superb tribute to his genius with rare footage including Nadia Boulanger.

The really sad, inexplicable thing is that for some reason France didn't give him any ceremony or celebration of his career after his death. Even his widow, Macha Meril, said how disappointed she was about this dreadful omission. One would hope this will be rectified in due course.

PS I am delighted to see Roger on the messageboards again...welcome back!

That really is extraordinary particularly when put against the response to the death of Serge Gainsbourg who wasn’t really in the same league.

[MickyD]

That really is extraordinary particularly when put against the response to the death of Serge Gainsbourg who wasn’t really in the same league.

Yes, as well as the eternal tributes to the awful Johnny Halliday !! Disgraceful, Legrand deserves so much better.

[MickyD]

Thanks Micky! I wonder if the docu'll be aired on Arte after it's done the rounds of flicks?!

I think it's quite likely, it's the sort thing they transmit. I'll try and flag it up if and when it appears. It's quite sad in parts, you see a great man realising he is very near the end of his life. Won't say anymore for fear of spoiling the film for you.

[Roger Webb]

I think it's quite likely, it's the sort thing they transmit. I'll try and flag it up if and when it appears. It's quite sad in parts, you see a great man realising he is very near the end of his life. Won't say anymore for fear of spoiling the film for you.

Thanks Micky, did you watch the YouTube of 'Sans toi' I posted above? Legrand's fingers were not as nimble in those arpeggios as he was in the film....have you seen Agnès Varda's film Cléo 5 à 7? Her first feature was set down your way, called 'La Pointe Courte', and filmed in and around Sète.

[MickyD]

I've just watched it, thanks, Roger....I confess to never having seen Meow Meow. That's quite a voice and her style and the song very much reminded me of Barbara, who I have adored for years. Thanks for this.
Yes, Sète is just an hour from me...and the home of Georges Brassens, too, of course.

[vinteuil]

Yes, Sète is just an hour from me...and the home of Georges Brassens, too, of course.

... not forgetting Paul Valéry, buried in the cemetery of his native town, Sète, the same cemetery celebrated in his poem Le Cimetière marin

.