Sagan
Armand Amar
" Sagan is a small, evocative score with beautiful melodies and a captivating sadness. "Written by Joep de Bruijn - Review of the regular release
Composer Armand Amar has written some of the best dramatic and adventurous scores I have heard in my entire life. He composed the music to Va, Vis et Deviens, Home, La Terre Vue du Ciel, Bab'Aziz and many other films. The list of real works of art is endless. He is from a rare breed of composers who manage to incorporate different cultures into one mesmerizing blend that superbly supports the story of the films. Sometimes he gets to write music for films unhindered by any cultural influence. This is evident in works such as Le Couperet, Amen and Sagan.
Sagan tells the story of the excessive lifestyle of French iconic novel writer Francoise Sagan. The music supports the downfall of the Sagan by use of melancholic string, piano and woodwind performances. It was recorded with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and several regular musicians contributed to the outstanding result. The composer uses minimalism throughout the score, but never without baring his own personal mark. Sagan is a small, evocative score with beautiful melodies and a captivating sadness. I especially love the classical approach in the dramatic passages containing elegant light piano performances combined with violins, cellos and occasional clarinet, which make up for the core of the score.
Those familiar with numerous works will most likely recognize several passages from other works. For example, "La vie s'en va" revisits some music of La Premier Cri. The fact remains that Amar is someone who does this in a splendid, non-irritating matter in about every single score. Sometimes, he even succeeds in turning an older composition in something even more gorgeous, even though that often seems impossible. I would recommend everyone to listen to Le Couperet and compare some of its cues with their alternate takes on Home.
There's no denying that Sagan is one of the many enthrallingly (sad,) melodic works that Amar has written. However, those of you who may only know some of his extra-ordinary exotic scores may have to adjust their expectations. Still, if you love his work in general, this will be a guaranteed delight. Naïve's cd release also includes a few obtrusive period songs, which I advise you to skip in order to undergo a satisfying listening experience.
Tracklisting
1. Chicago (2.18)
2. Sagan I (3.52)
3. L'Accident (2.24)
4. La Rencontre (2.10)
5. Remember Then: The Earls (2.14)
6. L'Enterrement (3.18)
7. Dépendance (1.53)
8. La Vie S'en Va I (2.56)
9. Sweetie Girl: Rémi Sciuto (1.45)
10. La Séparation (1.15)
11. Peggy (2.04)
12. La Vie S'en Va II (3.05)
13 Kiss me Now: Mathieu Coupat (2.00)
14. Sag Warum: Camillo Felgen (2.29)
15. Promettez moi (1.34)
16 Sagan II (3.04)
17. Mort de Sagan (2.19)
Total Length: 40.43
Sagan tells the story of the excessive lifestyle of French iconic novel writer Francoise Sagan. The music supports the downfall of the Sagan by use of melancholic string, piano and woodwind performances. It was recorded with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and several regular musicians contributed to the outstanding result. The composer uses minimalism throughout the score, but never without baring his own personal mark. Sagan is a small, evocative score with beautiful melodies and a captivating sadness. I especially love the classical approach in the dramatic passages containing elegant light piano performances combined with violins, cellos and occasional clarinet, which make up for the core of the score.
Those familiar with numerous works will most likely recognize several passages from other works. For example, "La vie s'en va" revisits some music of La Premier Cri. The fact remains that Amar is someone who does this in a splendid, non-irritating matter in about every single score. Sometimes, he even succeeds in turning an older composition in something even more gorgeous, even though that often seems impossible. I would recommend everyone to listen to Le Couperet and compare some of its cues with their alternate takes on Home.
There's no denying that Sagan is one of the many enthrallingly (sad,) melodic works that Amar has written. However, those of you who may only know some of his extra-ordinary exotic scores may have to adjust their expectations. Still, if you love his work in general, this will be a guaranteed delight. Naïve's cd release also includes a few obtrusive period songs, which I advise you to skip in order to undergo a satisfying listening experience.
Tracklisting
1. Chicago (2.18)
2. Sagan I (3.52)
3. L'Accident (2.24)
4. La Rencontre (2.10)
5. Remember Then: The Earls (2.14)
6. L'Enterrement (3.18)
7. Dépendance (1.53)
8. La Vie S'en Va I (2.56)
9. Sweetie Girl: Rémi Sciuto (1.45)
10. La Séparation (1.15)
11. Peggy (2.04)
12. La Vie S'en Va II (3.05)
13 Kiss me Now: Mathieu Coupat (2.00)
14. Sag Warum: Camillo Felgen (2.29)
15. Promettez moi (1.34)
16 Sagan II (3.04)
17. Mort de Sagan (2.19)
Total Length: 40.43