Michel Legrand - Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (1964)

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a unique and, quite honestly, magical movie experience. Tough to describe, though. I mean, technically, it's a musical, but maybe it's a musical for folks who don't like musicals. I know I don't. I think I like this, though, because, in a way, the "songs" aren't really songs. Sure, the basic components of song are there, but the difference is that all of the "lyrics" are actually sung dialogue. There is no spoken dialogue and the movie never breaks out into song like traditional musicals tend to. This soundtrack is French chanson music sung in what, it turns out, is called a recitative style.

Directed by Jacques Demy with music composed by Michel Legrand, this emotional tale of love lost stars Catherine Deneuve (as Geneviève, voiced by Danielle Licari) and Nino Castelnuovo (as Guy, voiced by José Bartel). Deneuve is absolutely luminous here. She's never been more beautiful. The Wikipedia page for this film provides an excellent synopsis, so I won't even try here. It's certainly not for everyone, but, needless to say, if you love catchy French music, heavy on the melodrama, you're apt to dig this.

Check out this heartbreaking scene from the film, followed by the original theatrical trailer:





Easily the best soundtrack release this film has seen is the 1996 double-disc release by Sony France. It is the complete film soundtrack and includes six non-film bonus tracks. The first is Tony Bennett's popular 1964 take on "Watch What Happens." This is followed by Michel Legrand's jazz trio take on "I Will Wait for You" from 1991. Next are what appear to be three early 1962 rehearsal tracks featuring Michel Legrand on piano, performing with his sister Christiane Legrand, who went on to provide the vocals for the character Madame Emery, played by Anne Vernon in the film. The final track is Michel Legrand Big Band's take on "I Will Wait for You" from 1995. This release has since been replaced by a shortened single disc version.

Michel Legrand - Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (1964)
1. Générique (2:12)
2. Scène du Garage (2:50)
3. Devant le Magasin (1:42)
4. Chez Tante Elise (2:32)
5. Dans la Rue (0:35)
6. Au Dancing (1:57)
7. Sur le Quai (1:54)
8. Dans le Magasin de Parapluies (5:25)
9. Chez Dubourg, le Joaillier (4:11)
10. Dans le Magasin (3:19)
11. Devant le Garage (4:53)
12. Chez Elise (1:42)
13. A l'Appartement (2:49)
14. Adieux à Elise (1:51)
15. La Gare (Guy s'en Va) (2:24)
16. Dans le Magasin (4:51)
17. Le Dîner (4:33)
18. Récit de Cassard (3:41)
19. La Lettre de Guy (1:57)
20. Le Carnaval (7:58)
21. Le Mariage (1:01)
22. Retour de Guy (0:42)
23. Chez Elise (4:18)
24. Le Garage (Dispute) (1:56)
25. Guy au Café (1:46)
26. La Boîte à Matelots (3:14)
27. Duo Guy / Madeleine (2:06)
28. La Terrasse du Café (3:07)
29. La Station-Service (2:04)
30. Final (4:59)
31. Watch What Happens (2:55)
32. I Will Wait for You (Version Trio) (7:45)
33. Chez Dubourg, le Joaillier (1:41)
34. Chez Tante Elise (3:03)
35. Récit de Cassard (3:18)
36. I Will Wait for You (Version Big-Band) (9:08)

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