"Georges Delerue played an important role in French film history, writing music that could enhance the realistic or romantic visions of New Wave auteurs Goddard (Contempt) and Truffaut (most famously Jules and Jim and Shoot the Piano Player) or sonorously enliven the light-hearted world of Philippe de Broca (That Man from Rio). British studios also admired his lyrical and dramatic gifts, recruiting him for Anne of the Thousand Days, A Man for All Seasons, and Women in Love. At the height of his fame he moved to Hollywood, where he was able to work with fewer budgetary constraints than in Europe. DCM’s latest shipment (see Fanfare 31:5 for my first DCM review) includes two CDs of film scores, two of concert works, and one honoring Maurice Jaubert, an innovative and influential composer.

A Walk with Love and Death, a little-known John Huston film, was not a box-office hit, but the score was reputedly one of Delerue’s favorites. Clément Fontaine (DCM’s executive producer) was unable to obtain permission to remaster the original recording digitally, so he engaged Robert Lafond to transcribe and orchestrate the movie’s principal themes. Inspired by the medieval setting of the film, 14th-century France, the score is true to the musical spirit of the age without being slavishly correct. Lafond retained most of Delerue’s instrumental choices: harpsichord, recorder, harp, viola, lute, and oboe, but substituted organ for brass. He added some percussion—very effective in “Héron at the Gypsy Camp”— and, somewhat oddly to me, used a synthesizer in place of strings (to save money?), not including the viola, of course. The emulations are quite successful, if not perfect. (It appears that considerable improvement has been made in the quality of synthesized orchestral instruments, at least in sampled sound libraries used by film composers. The electronic keyboards I’ve played have pathetic brass, woodwind, and string “patches” that wouldn’t fool anyone.) This colorful score also unites organ and mixed chorus in a somber “Peasant’s Processional”; the reverberant acoustic adds to the solemnity.

DCM’s unswerving dedication to Georges Delerue and other fine French film composers has brought forth numerous musically attractive CDs, which can be found at www.disquescinemusique.com. These additions to their catalog will surely bestow similar pleasure and enlightenment. For myself, I’m intrigued by Delerue’s alter ego, and I’m always glad to hear further examples of his film persona...Each of the CDs, in fine sound and described in detail in their respective booklets, may be confidently recommended, in an order determined by your musical preferences."

FANFARE: Robert Schulslaper