The Most Beautiful Piano Themes

Yoko Sawai, piano / Patrick Healey, flutes / Guillaume Saucier, cello

24-page colour booklet with many stills

Photography : Véro Boncompagni

Release date : 04-2007

This compilation focusing on the piano offers new versions of film music themes that have aged well and can deservedly be called classic. All of them were composed for the French cinema of the 1960's and the 70's, an extremely fruitful period in Delerue's long career.

Homage to director Philippe de Broca

01  UN MONSIEUR DE COMPAGNIE - Isabelle Theme  3:54 

02  THE DEVIL BY THE TAIL - Jeanne Theme  3:14

03  LES CAPRICES DE MARIE - Main Theme  4:03

04  KING OF HEARTS - Joy of Living Theme  3:23

05  DEAR LOUISE - Main Theme 3:41

06  THE INCORRIGIBLE - Tender Marie-Charlotte 2:24

07  THE AFRICAN - Main Title 4:14

08  TWO ENGLISH GIRLS - Suite  4:45 

09  JAMAIS PLUS TOUJOURS - Main Theme  3:39

10  LES AVEUX LES PLUS DOUX - Suite  3:48

11  MILADY - The Merry-Go-Round /Farewell to Milady  4:35

12  UNE AUTRE VIE - Main Theme  3:11

13  LA PETITE VERTU - Main Title / The Break in the Countryside  5:01

TT  49:56

Andrew Keech - Music from the Movies, July 2007

DCM Classique continue their commendable crusade to educate the world to the varied delights of the music of Georges Delerue with a beautiful collection of the composer's themes played by a wonderfully balanced trio. Yoko Sawai, piano, Patrick Healey, flute and Guillaume Saucier, cello combine to produce a captivating album of melodic themes played with a love and enthusiasm enhanced by the crisp clarity afforded by the solo instruments. The French - English twenty-four page booklet is lavishly illustrated and gives an insight into both the music and the films. A must have collection for any Delerue fan.

Demetris Christodoulides - Music on Film, August 2007

Les plus beaux thèmes pour le piano is a very fine compilation that both pays deep respect into one of the greatest ever icons in film music history, Georges Delerue, and also his brilliant work by concentrating and showcasing some of his most beloved themes, all under excellent, lively and deeply colorful rerecordings. This compilation, as presented through the prominent musical abilities of the performing artists, is an essential work by lovers of Delerue's grandeur, aimed exactly back at people who share the same passion alike.

Frédéric Cardin - La Scena Musicale, Montréal, June 2007 (translated from French)

The music of Georges Delerue is a succession of melancholies. Of these small melancholies that take over you as you remember a loved person or a joyful moment that won't repeat. This music is quite simple. The melody is stated right from the start, the accompaniment never tries to be intrusive. However, this simplicity is deceptive. One must never underestimate the value of an unforgettable melody. And Georges Delerue was an expert in this art commonly disregarded by the musical establishment. These small goldsmith gifts, through their beauty, their touching innocence, and through their surprising capacity to move us to tears here and there, are invariably irresistible.

© Disques CinéMusique