Le Voyage en Ballon
Jean Prodromidès
" Le Voyage en Ballon is without a doubt an imposingly high and dynamic score that never ceases to amaze me. "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the regular release
French composer Jean Prodromidès began his cinematic career with writing scores for military documentaries during the Second World War. After the war had ended, he continued writing scores, but now for the motion pictures. He was particularly active during the 1950 and 1960’s, writing music for films such as Histoires extraordinaires, Le Voyage en Ballon (Stowaway in the Sky) and Un Jardin Public. Three more films would follow in the 1970’s to end his career in 1983 with his score to Danton.
Le Ballon Rouge was a touching 33 minute picture about a boy following a red balloon across Paris. Director Albert Lamorisse continued the adventures of the boy in Le Voyage en Ballon, which was kind of a sequel. This time the boy travelled around the whole of France in a gas balloon. While the film lost the poetic beauty of the original feature, the music by Prodromidès exceeded all expectations.
The score is performed by a large, 80 piece orchestra and makes use of 12 solo guitarists and a 30 male chorus for several cues. Its symphonic elegance and lilting character underline the beautiful surroundings and the humorous children story being told. The score is an impressive burst of energy, wonderfully orchestrated and with several themes heard in different variations. The first theme is introduces as a waltz, but re-occurs in variation ranging from chorus and guitars combination to a joyful tambourine version. The second theme is a little, playful tune performed by the clarinet. Le Voyage en Ballon is without a doubt an imposingly high and dynamic score that never ceases to amaze me.
None of the former releases of this score were really good. They all had their shortcomings, so I can't distress enough how music I love the fact that Disques CinéMusique has brought us this ultimate release. Prodromidès collaborated with them in the making of this remastered, full score release. The cd includes the composer's music from the short film Un Jardin Public as a bonus. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting
1. Introduction / Les Cloches de Béthune (2.06)
2. Envol (1.56)
3. Ballet de la Chemise Blanche (1.32)
4. Alsace / Les Vosges (4.15)
5. Paris (4.06)
6. Chenonceaux / La Chasse (1.23)
7. Les grands voiliers / Goémons (4.41)
8. Poursuite en Bretagne (3.12)
9. Les Alpes / Les Glaciers (4.42)
10. Provence (3.03)
11. Camargue / Les Taureaux / Les Flamands Roses (4.35)
12. Final (3.58)
13. Un Jardin Public (mono) (17.29)
Total Length: 56.58
Le Ballon Rouge was a touching 33 minute picture about a boy following a red balloon across Paris. Director Albert Lamorisse continued the adventures of the boy in Le Voyage en Ballon, which was kind of a sequel. This time the boy travelled around the whole of France in a gas balloon. While the film lost the poetic beauty of the original feature, the music by Prodromidès exceeded all expectations.
The score is performed by a large, 80 piece orchestra and makes use of 12 solo guitarists and a 30 male chorus for several cues. Its symphonic elegance and lilting character underline the beautiful surroundings and the humorous children story being told. The score is an impressive burst of energy, wonderfully orchestrated and with several themes heard in different variations. The first theme is introduces as a waltz, but re-occurs in variation ranging from chorus and guitars combination to a joyful tambourine version. The second theme is a little, playful tune performed by the clarinet. Le Voyage en Ballon is without a doubt an imposingly high and dynamic score that never ceases to amaze me.
None of the former releases of this score were really good. They all had their shortcomings, so I can't distress enough how music I love the fact that Disques CinéMusique has brought us this ultimate release. Prodromidès collaborated with them in the making of this remastered, full score release. The cd includes the composer's music from the short film Un Jardin Public as a bonus. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting
1. Introduction / Les Cloches de Béthune (2.06)
2. Envol (1.56)
3. Ballet de la Chemise Blanche (1.32)
4. Alsace / Les Vosges (4.15)
5. Paris (4.06)
6. Chenonceaux / La Chasse (1.23)
7. Les grands voiliers / Goémons (4.41)
8. Poursuite en Bretagne (3.12)
9. Les Alpes / Les Glaciers (4.42)
10. Provence (3.03)
11. Camargue / Les Taureaux / Les Flamands Roses (4.35)
12. Final (3.58)
13. Un Jardin Public (mono) (17.29)
Total Length: 56.58