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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