Gerard Jippin

For two consecutive years listeners to Classic FM have voted Max Bruch’s First Violin Concerto their favourite among 300 classical works. His melodies have instant appeal and it is good to see three comparative rarities on this disc. Bruch loved alto-register instruments such as the clarinet and viola, and he wrote these works in 1911 when giant leaps were taking place in the development of music, all of which he eschewed in favour of mid-19th-century Romanticism. While the clarinet rides orchestral accompaniment with no difficulty, the viola sits right in the middle and can be drowned (a hazard in performing the Double Concerto but avoided in the recording studio). The viola Romance is a gem, while the Eight Pieces are colourful and varied. All the performers do ample justice to this beautiful and unashamedly Romantic music.

The Alhambra Palace was built in the early Middle Ages, in the city of Granada, following the Arab conquest of Spain. With its impressive mosaics and sun-drenched gardens, it inspired the creation of many wonderful compositions throughout the centuries. While several works of Francisco Tárrega, Isaac Albéniz and Joaquín Turina have a direct connection to the Alhambra Palace, the Arabian influence is evident in most pieces on this Album.

Récit de la vie d'Henri-Désiré Landru, exécuté en 1922 pour les assassinats de dix femmes dont il avait brûlé les corps. L'auteur retrace l'enquête qui aboutit à son arrestation en 1919 et le déroulement de son procès à partir de 1921. Le traitement de cette affaire criminelle par la presse et son impact dans l'opinion publique sont également analysés. …

This original soundtrack (from the cult movie) was released in late 1970 by French Motors label. The fabulous music was created by then unknown French-Canadian-British rock band Clinic (which was chosen after the Pink Floyd weren't available), pop singer Christophe (present on just two tracks) and Bernard Gerard Orchestra (responsible for two classical interludes). All the songs were sung in English, although most of an album was filled with instrumental and truly amazing, early Pink Floyd-like psychedelic sounds (with Hammond organ, mellotron, flute, hypnotic bass notes, whispering voices) combined with late 60’s French/British pop tunes. With the exception of 'More' it's really hard to imagine a better movie soundtrack from late 60's/early 70's rock era!

L'exhibitionnisme pornographique nous lance aujourd'hui un immense défi qui nous laisse démunis, divisés, sans réponse à long terme. Pourtant, il y a urgence, car cette invasion touche de plus en plus les enfants et les adolescents …