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Concerto pour une Voix
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Wikipedia article
'Concerto pour une Voix' ('Concerto for one Voice') is a contemporary classical song written by the French composer Saint-Preux in 1969, combining
elements from popular music and electronic music.
The piece was first sung by Danielle Licari.
History
Saint-Preux composed the 'Concerto', his biggest hit, in Poland, where he had been very well seen by the criticism after defending in August 1969, in the Sopot International Song Festival, 'La valse de l'enfance' ('The Waltz of Youth') with Saint-Preux conducting the symphony orchestra.
When Saint-Preux returned to France, Ren Boyer, head of the music publishers Fantasia, arranged 'Concerto pour une Voix' and recorded it. Danielle Licari sang it using a vocalise technique similar to scat singing in jazz. The song, released on the Disc'AZ label in 1969, made both her career and his. In a few months it had sold over 3,000,000 copies in France alone,'L'Express', [https://books.google.com/books?id=3O7hAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Lef%C3%A8vre+ont+enregistr%C3%A9+leur+version+du+Concerto%22&dq=%22Lef%C3%A8vre+ont+enregistr%C3%A9+leur+version+du+Concerto%22 Issues 9911002]. Presse-Union (1970) p. 43. and gained recognition outside France as well. In the week of 22 August 1970 it entered the charts in Mexico at #10 and Japan at #20,'Billboard', [https://books.google.com/books?id=lSkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA83&dq=Danielle+Licari+Billboard "Hits of the World"], August 22, 1970, p. 83. He won Gold disc and a Japanese "Oscar" for the best original music.
Since that time 'Concerto pour une voix' has been recorded by many other musicians, including Maxim Saury, Caravelli, Aimable Pluchard, and Raymond Lefvre. An excerpt from the original Licari version appears in Wyclef Jean's 1997 album 'The Carnival', and the song was also performed in Andr Rieu's 2007/2008 'In Wonderland' tour. In the Rieu show, 'Concerto pour une Voix' was performed by Mirusia Louwerse dressed as an angel singing from high above the orchestra.Teply, Lee. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121105034656/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-162313410.html "Rieu, Strauss orchestra open festival on magical note"]. 'Virginian-Pilot'. April 19, 2007. Accessed via subscription 18 November 2010. The song also appears on the recording 'Andr Rieu in Wonderland' (Denon Classics #17698).
In 2005, Saint-Preux adapted 'Concerto pour une Voix' for two singers. This latter version, 'Concerto pour deux Voix' ('Concerto for Two Voices'), was recorded in 2005 by the composer's daughter Clmence and Jean-Baptiste Maunier who starred in the film, 'Les Choristes'.Didier, Carine. [http://www.leparisien.fr/loisirs-et-spectacles/jean-baptiste-maunier-je-n-ai-plus-envie-de-chanter-09-04-2005-2005851763.php "Jean-Baptiste Maunier: Je n'ai plus envie de chanter"]. 'Le Parisien'. April 9, 2005. Accessed 18 November 2010.
Arrangements
This songs has seen dozens of arrangements and recordings.
* Sung by Raymond Lefvre, 1977
* Sung by Mirla Castellanos, 1974
* Sung by Dalida, 1970
* Sung by Meagan Duhamel, 2010
* Sung by Giorgia Fumanti, 2010
* Sung by Jean-Baptiste Maunier and Clemence, 2011
References
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