JEAN PRODROMIDÈS

The first one presents at last on digital support the awesome music from Andrzej Wajda's Danton (1983), starring Gérard Depardieu at his best. This period drama tells the conflict between two main figures of the French Revolution, Danton and Robespirerre. Prodromidès delivered here his most striking and innovative score for the screen, using a large symphonic orchestra with a male choir.

This release also includes the core of two fine dramatic soundtracks that were available only on EP in the sixties. Jean Delannoy's Les Amitiés particulières tells a platonic homosexual relation between two young boys in a religious college ; Et mourir de plaisir (Blood and Roses) is an elegant vampire tale tinged with lesbianism, directed by Roger Vadim, starring his second wife Annette Stroyberg, Mel Ferrer and Elsa Martinelli. The first movie has an ethereal, mystic score with children voices; the second one features a memorable harp tune and a classical flavored main theme for strings and organ. 16-page booklet with many stills.

Our second CD, La Comédie selon Jean Prodromidès, (The Comedy According to Jean Prodromidès) reflects the lighter side of the composer. The whole content originates from the turn of the sixties. L'Ours (The Bear), a premiere on digital support, is a 16-minute score for big orchestra and six solo mandolins which often recalls the most energetic and humorous passages of Le Voyage en ballon. Incidentally, both soundtracks were recorded the same year by the same orchestra and crew.

Remastered versions of the best excerpts from four other original soundtrack recordings by Prodomidès complete the program : Archimède le clochard, Le Bateau d'Émile, Maigret et l'affaire Saint-Fiacre et Le Baron de l'écluse. Three of these movies were tailor made for legendary actor Jean Gabin, then at the peak of his popularity. 12-page booklet. - Clément Fontaine, DCM producer