New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Cinemedia Promotions) An ultimate performance of Francis Lai's greatest works, conducted by the composer himself, this album represents a retrospective snap-shot of Lai's varied and hugely successful film music career.
Hailing from the smoky jazz clubs of Marseilles and working with the legendary Edith Piaf at the height of her fame as accompanist and composer, Lai has successfully translated the easy listening sound of the 60s into film scores. His light and lyrical music for films is brimming with romanticism, somber beauty and charm.
Perhaps best known for his 1970, Oscar Winning score for Love Story and his 1965 breakthrough score for Claude Lelouch's cult French movie, Un homme et une femme (A Man and A Woman), this immensely talented French accordionist and composer has succeeded in creating an instantly recognizable sound that defines an era.
1. 13 Jours en France
Theme from the 1968 Claude Lelouch/Francois Reichenbach documentary about the Grenoble Olympics. Aka 'Challenge in the Snow'.
2. Bilitis
Theme from the 1977 David Hamilton film about a young woman's summer of self-discovery. Starred Patti D'Arbanville.
3. Concerto Pour la Fin d'Un Amour
Based on a theme from the 1969 Claude Lelouch film 'Un Homme Une Me Plait', originally featured on the 1971 album 'Francis Lai Joue Francis Lai'.
4. Emmanuelle II
Theme from the second film in the erotic franchise starring Sylvia Kristel... Also known as 'Emmanuelle: Antivierge' or 'Anti-Virgin'.
5. Ballet Apocalypse
Theme from Lai-scored segment of Claude Lelouch's musical odyssey 'Les Uns et Les Autres' which spanned forty years of life in France, set to and about music.
6. Folies Bergeres
Second theme from another musical sequence within Claude Lelouch's epic 'Les Uns et Les Autres'...
7. Itineraire d'Un Enfant Gate
Theme from the 1988 Claude Lelouch drama starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Richard Anconina.
8. La Belle Histoire
Lai goes Latin for this bizarre Claude Lelouch film from 1992 in which the lives, loves and losses of several characters are portrayed in tandem with those of their former incarnations during the time of Christ.
9. La Course du Lievre a Travers Les Champs
This oddball caper film from Rene Clement saw Robert Ryan in one of his final roles alongside Tisa Farrow (sister of Mia)
10. Le Lecon Particuliere
Yet more extra-marital angst as Nathalie Delon stars as a married woman who becomes entangled in a love affair with a teenage boy.
11. Le Genre Humain
A return to form for Lai and Lelouch, as they revisit themes and colors from their earlier work. Aka 'Le Courage d'Amour'.
12. Le Passager de la Pluie
Charles Bronson stars in this Rene Clement thriller about a US Army Colonel on the case of a ruthless sex attacker. Aka 'Rider On The Rain'.
13. Les Etoiles du Cinema
This theme was penned to accompany a weekly film segment on French television channel FR3.
14. Les Miserables
Claude Lelouch takes on Victor Hugo's original story alongside that of a modern day man influenced by the famous tale of Jean Valjean.
15. Les Ripoux
Director Claude Zidi's film about a 'Bad Cop' who makes good when he's given a new partner to keep him in line.
16. Pour L'amour de Tes Yeux 2oirs
Theme from 1987 romantic drama by Nikita Mikhalkov which sees Marcello Mastroianni star as a man retelling his tale of love to a fellow passenger on board ship.
17. Love Story
Lai's now legendary theme for 'the' Hollywood romance of the 1970s... Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal star as the young lovers overcoming the odds and familial prejudices to be together.
18. Mayerling
Terence Young's 1968 take on the famous 'murder-suicide' story concerning Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and his lover, Baroness Mary Vetsera, who were found dead together at the royal family's hunting lodge in 1889. Omar Sharif and Catherine Deneuve star.
19. Un Homme et Une Femme
This light, easy pop theme has become one of Lai's most famous and it was his first for a major film. The music serves the almost wordless story of 'A Man and a Woman', who find each other but can't love each other, perfectly.
20. Vivre Pour Vivre
A love story, albeit another affair, framed by the events of the Vietnam War. Yves Montand stars as the womanizing war reporter, alongside a young Candice Bergen.
Performed by Francis Lai and His Orchestra
CD: SILCD1338
US RELEASE DATE: January 11, 2011
For more information contact: [email protected]
