Danton
Jean Prodromidès
" The composer ended his career with the superb score for Danton in 1983. "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the regular release
Last year the French Canadian label Disques Cinémusique surprised us with the perfect release of Le Voyage en Ballon by Jean Prodromidès. In 2010 they returned with two more releases of the prolific composer: Danton and La Comédie Selon Jean Prodromidès. The Danton release also includes music from the films Les Amitiés Particulières and Et Mourir De Plaisir, both previously released on EP. Even Danton was previously released on LP, but it’s a real treat to have them all on a single disc.
The composer ended his career with the superb score for Danton in 1983. The film was directed by Andrzej Wajda and based upon a Polish play that concerns itself with the political struggle between Danton and Robespierre during the French Revolution. The score was recorded with a Polish 80-piece orchestra and a 40-piece choir who have outdone themselves with such incredible performances. It's a unique score with a largely radical approach, exposing you to massive sounds of terror.
The score is uncompromisingly ominous and terrifying, influenced by the works of great empirical Polish composers like Ligeti, Lutoslawski and Pendericki. Prodromidès' music is incredibly challenging because of his outstanding atonal character, using glissandi, microtones, dark clusters, and a very unique mixture of orchestra, choir and the sounds of the rebellion of the French crowd. This last thing is a perfect blend that makes it an even more disturbing and unique listening. Ennio Morricone did something similar with some of the cues he wrote for the mini-series Il Segreto del Sahara. There is also a portion of different kind of music, which isn't as lyrical, but nearly as psychologically strong as the rest of the score. It's perfect for the setting in these roaring times, with the aggressive, political brawl between the two eccentric individuals.
Les Amitiés Particulières (1964) is a completely different type of score. The film is about the homosexual relationship between to boys in a Romish Catholic school. It's a soothing, heavenly score performed by a small orchestra and a boy's choir. Prodromidès wrote several variations on the main theme, which are accompanied by the wordless singing of the choir, harp and orchestra. The score ends with a real plainchant and introduces the organ as well. Overall a captive short score.
And the disc ends with Et Mourir De Plaisir (1960). Roger Vadim directed this adaptation of J.S. Le Fanu's "Carmilla". The lesbian vampire film included a score that's different than the stereotype music for such a film, while still staying equally attractive. Prodromidès neglected to write a larger than life romantic score, but instead went down the more subtle routes. It's evident by the dosed use of the organ and orchestra. This is a very nice seductive score.
The collection of these three quality scores on a single disc is a great listening. Those who crave for more Jean Prodromidès music should purchase this, and La Comédie Selon, cd straight away. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting
DANTON
1. Danton / Générique de Fin (4.39)
2. Danton Revient (3.15)
3. Le Réveil (3.44)
4. La Queue pour le Pain (2.04)
5. Danton et le Peuple de Paris (1.19)
6. Avant l'Arrestation (2.09)
7. Guillotine I (0.50)
8. La Charette des Condamnés (2.30)
9. Guillotine II (0.48)
10. La Conciergerie (3.38)
11. De la Conciergerie à l'Echafaud (2.07)
12. La Menace (1.34)
13. L'Atelier de David (1.59)
14. Lucile Demoulins / Les Gamins devant l'Imprimerie (1.12)
15. Les Prisons (1.56)
LES AMITIES PARTICULIERES
16. Enterrement d'Alexandre (3.06)
17. L'Échange du Sang (1.23)
18. Georges et Alexandre (1.27)
19. Rencontre dans la Serre (1.35)
20. Tantum Ergo / Présentation de l'Agneau (2.27)
ET MOURIR DE PLAISIR
21. Thème de Millarca (3.53)
22. Carmilla et Leopoldo (2.25)
23. Tarentelle (2.46)
24. Danse Ancienne en Trois Mouvements (2.03)
25. La Glace Brisée (1.24)
Total Length: 56.13
The composer ended his career with the superb score for Danton in 1983. The film was directed by Andrzej Wajda and based upon a Polish play that concerns itself with the political struggle between Danton and Robespierre during the French Revolution. The score was recorded with a Polish 80-piece orchestra and a 40-piece choir who have outdone themselves with such incredible performances. It's a unique score with a largely radical approach, exposing you to massive sounds of terror.
The score is uncompromisingly ominous and terrifying, influenced by the works of great empirical Polish composers like Ligeti, Lutoslawski and Pendericki. Prodromidès' music is incredibly challenging because of his outstanding atonal character, using glissandi, microtones, dark clusters, and a very unique mixture of orchestra, choir and the sounds of the rebellion of the French crowd. This last thing is a perfect blend that makes it an even more disturbing and unique listening. Ennio Morricone did something similar with some of the cues he wrote for the mini-series Il Segreto del Sahara. There is also a portion of different kind of music, which isn't as lyrical, but nearly as psychologically strong as the rest of the score. It's perfect for the setting in these roaring times, with the aggressive, political brawl between the two eccentric individuals.
Les Amitiés Particulières (1964) is a completely different type of score. The film is about the homosexual relationship between to boys in a Romish Catholic school. It's a soothing, heavenly score performed by a small orchestra and a boy's choir. Prodromidès wrote several variations on the main theme, which are accompanied by the wordless singing of the choir, harp and orchestra. The score ends with a real plainchant and introduces the organ as well. Overall a captive short score.
And the disc ends with Et Mourir De Plaisir (1960). Roger Vadim directed this adaptation of J.S. Le Fanu's "Carmilla". The lesbian vampire film included a score that's different than the stereotype music for such a film, while still staying equally attractive. Prodromidès neglected to write a larger than life romantic score, but instead went down the more subtle routes. It's evident by the dosed use of the organ and orchestra. This is a very nice seductive score.
The collection of these three quality scores on a single disc is a great listening. Those who crave for more Jean Prodromidès music should purchase this, and La Comédie Selon, cd straight away. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting
DANTON
1. Danton / Générique de Fin (4.39)
2. Danton Revient (3.15)
3. Le Réveil (3.44)
4. La Queue pour le Pain (2.04)
5. Danton et le Peuple de Paris (1.19)
6. Avant l'Arrestation (2.09)
7. Guillotine I (0.50)
8. La Charette des Condamnés (2.30)
9. Guillotine II (0.48)
10. La Conciergerie (3.38)
11. De la Conciergerie à l'Echafaud (2.07)
12. La Menace (1.34)
13. L'Atelier de David (1.59)
14. Lucile Demoulins / Les Gamins devant l'Imprimerie (1.12)
15. Les Prisons (1.56)
LES AMITIES PARTICULIERES
16. Enterrement d'Alexandre (3.06)
17. L'Échange du Sang (1.23)
18. Georges et Alexandre (1.27)
19. Rencontre dans la Serre (1.35)
20. Tantum Ergo / Présentation de l'Agneau (2.27)
ET MOURIR DE PLAISIR
21. Thème de Millarca (3.53)
22. Carmilla et Leopoldo (2.25)
23. Tarentelle (2.46)
24. Danse Ancienne en Trois Mouvements (2.03)
25. La Glace Brisée (1.24)
Total Length: 56.13