28 January 2019

Michel Legrand's Folk Songs for Orchestra

Here by request is another tribute to the immensely gifted composer-arranger-pianist Michel Legrand, who died a few days ago. It is his 1959 LP Scarlet Ribbons - Michel Legrand's Folksongs for Orchestra, so called even though "Scarlet Ribbons" isn't a folk song at all.

The liner notes tell us that Legrand wanted to include the song even though it was of recent (1949) vintage because of its "charming folk flavor." The Legrand LP dates from mid-1959, just before "Scarlet Ribbons" became a big hit in the version by The Browns. It had previously been recorded by Jo Stafford and Harry Belafonte.

Legrand
Legrand's album is a remarkable example of his gift for orchestration, often using incongruous elements to create something new and unexpected. His version of "Red River Valley" could not be farther from the North Dakota prairies. The opening orchestral figure leads you to think that he is launching into "The Continental"! And his almost cinematic remake of "Goodnight, Irene" is a long way from Lead Belly.

This is what made his work so fascinating, of course. He was a true master of his craft.

FYI - my singles blog has an obscure EP from 1957 with Legrand's arrangements of Angelo Francesco Lavagnino's music for the Italian documentary Lost Continent. It's a pleasing bit of exotica, which was in fashion at the time.

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11 comments:

  1. Buster28 January, 2019 18:38

    Link (Apple lossless):

    https://mega.nz/#!6Z1x1azY!5ty1YfjDS0sQe_WnkM9zZWEwLQ7zEid8xgjTEWjaqpE

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  2. Ernie28 January, 2019 18:59

    Eeenteresting. Veddy, veddy eenteresting!

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  3. centuri29 January, 2019 01:31

    Thanks a lot Buster for this hommage to this great French artist...we miss him.

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  4. Graham29 January, 2019 10:43

    Thanks for making this one available. I'm always partial for good arrangements of Greensleeves, ever since the first time I saw Lassie on TV.

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  5. Buster29 January, 2019 10:49

    Hi everyone, and thanks for the comments!

    Graham - I was always afraid of Lassie because there was a Collie that looked like her on our street who frightened me. It's a good thing I never fell down a well or something - I am sure the local Lassie never would have bothered to get help.

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  6. alfred venison29 January, 2019 19:51

    this looks fantastic. thanks very much. -a.v.

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  7. Phillip29 January, 2019 23:45

    Talk about versatile - didn't he make Legrand Jazz about this time? The range of instrumental colours here is kaleidoscopic. Thanks so much for this tribute, Buster.

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  8. Scoredaddy31 January, 2019 19:03

    thank you very much!

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  9. Richard Bock04 February, 2019 14:28

    Thanks so much. Sad on hearing that Mr. Legrand passed away. Lovely album cover and beautiful arrangements.

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  10. zoltanzylox13 February, 2019 09:51

    Thanks Buster!

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  11. cvllos01 May, 2019 08:54

    Thanks once more for your work on Legrand's jewels.

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