A 62 minute live concert conducted by Georges Delerue recorded live in 1986 with the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.
Suites taken from classic French movies of the thirties: LE JOUR SE LÈVE, L'ATALANTE, LE PETIT CHAPERON ROUGE, UN CARNET DE BAL, QUAI DES BRUMES. 16 page booklet.
LE JOUR SE LÈVE - (Romantic Drama) "Le Jour Se Lève" is another doom-laden tale which sprang from the combined genius of director Marcel Carné and screenwriter Jacques Prévert. By the time this film was made, there was an all-pervading aura of pessimism hanging over Europe, with the imminence of a World War, and this is noticeable in French cinema of this period. Le Jour se lève captures this sense of gloom with a particular acuity and it is impossible to watch this film without experiencing something of the angst of the time in which it was made. SYNOPSIS - An ordinary factory worker barricades himself in his room, having shot another man, Valentin. He ignores the cries from neighbours and police who surround his home. As night falls, he begins to recall the circumstances that led to the killing. He remembers that he was in love with a girl called Françoise, and that everything was going fine until an unscrupulous dog trainer, Valentin, appeared on the scene. Stars Jules Berry and Jacqueline Laurent. 1939 (Also known as "Daybreak.")
L'ATALANTE - (Romantic Comedy) This is the story of a young village woman, Juliette, who joins her new husband, Jean, a bargeman on his working barge, L'Atalante. After a while, Juliette grows tired of her new life traversing the canals of France and yearns to visit Paris. During a brief visit to the city, Juliette encounters a young pedler and appears to be attracted to him. Jealous, when Juliette subsequently goes off on a trip, Jean sets off in his barge, leaving Juliette behind. After a period of separation and great anguish, the husband and wife are finally reunited. Stars Jean Guinée, Albert Riéra, and Jean Vigo. 1934 (Also known as "Le chaland qui passe.")
LE PETIT CHAPERON ROUGE - Directed by Alberto Cavalcanti. Stars Catherine Hessling, Pola Illéry, and Jean Renoir as the "wolf." 1929 (Also known as "Little Red Riding Hood.")
UN CARNET DE BAL - (Romantic Drama) After the death of her husband, Christine looks back on her life and reflects that she could have been so much happier if she had instead married someone else. One by one, she visits the men with whom she danced at a ball during her youth, and is surprised at what she discovers. Stars Marie Bell and Louis Jouvet. 1937 (Also known as "A Dance Program" and "Life Dances On.")
QUAI DES BRUMES - (Romantic Drama) This is a very atmospheric film from one of France's great directors, Marcel Carné, better known for his legendary film, Les Enfants du Paradis. Maurice Jaubert's moody opening theme transports us into a world of mists and shadows, more evocative of down-town Chicago in the 1930s than a harbour town in Northern France. SYNOPSIS - Jean, a deserter from the French army arrives in the port of Le Havre where, by chance, he is offered a change of identity and the opportunity to sail to the safety of South America. He is reluctant to leave, however, because he has met and fallen in love with a young woman, Nelly. Jean's fortunes take a turn for the worse when he makes a stand to protect Nelly from her guardian, Zabel, and a former admirer, both of whom are ruthless crooks. Stars Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan. 1938 (Also known as "Port of Shadows.")
