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Really dark work from composer Pierre Jansen – a CD that collects tracks written for the films of Claude Chabrol, a range of 60s and early 70s French thrillers with a moody, pessimistic feel. Most tracks have off-kilter orchestrations with occasional evocative solo instrument passages – a bit like thriller work by Morricone, but with less warmth and less of the fleeting moments of beauty that can make Morricone's darkest moments still sparkle at times. Titles include "Le Boucher", "Popaul Melomane", "Juste Avant La Nuit", "Les Amants De Munich", "Que La Bete Meure", and the extended "Symphonie Concertante Pour Orgue Piano Et Orchestre" from the film La Decade Prodidieuse.

The music of the French New Wave – brought out beautifully in an overstuffed 3CD set! The late 50s shift in French cinema is arguably one of the most important film moments in the 20th century – and although the movies are best remembered for their directors, stars, and striking images – most of the films also had some pretty amazing music as well! In fact, we've always felt that the music was integral to the Nouvelle Vague – from famous jazz scores, to lovely lyrical passages, to bold orchestral arrangements that also ended up having a huge impact on wider European music as well. This package is the first we've ever seen to really dig deep into the New Wave – and it brings together 80 tracks from dozens of films – a really wide variety of music, provided by artists who include Michel Legrand, Georges Delerue, Paul Misraki, Pierre Jansen, Miles Davis, Maurice Jarre, Jean Constantin, Martial Solal, Michel Magne, Antoine Duhamel, Alain Romans, and others – from movies that include 400 Blows, Jules & Jim, Hiroshima Mon Amour, Les Bonnes Femmes, Une Femme Est Une Femme, Breathless, Weekend, Lola, Cleo De 5 A 7, Le Bonheur, Alphaville, and many others! Some films are represented by a few tracks, others by famous themes – and the package also features a booklet with notes in French and English too.