Search - Charlie Chaplin :: Les Musiques De Films

Touching and beautiful music

Candace Scott | Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA | 09/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have seven different CD's on Chaplin's film music and this is the best effort among them. If you're searching for a quality representative of Charlie's music, this is by far the best album in content and arrangement. These are not the original soundtrack songs, they are performed by French orchestra and most of the songs are rendered in an understated, elegant and quite beautiful manner. Many people, even film buffs, are unaware that Chaplin composed his own music for his films post-1931. His music is representative of the man himself and shows a genius for composing simple yet imaginative melodies. Most will instantly know his beautiful "Smile," from the 1936 film "Modern Times," and the theme from "Limelight." But the rest of the music is truly lovely.



One thing to mention is that the liner notes and all the text inside the CD sleeve is in French.



If you're a Chaplin enthusiast, this is the CD to purchase to showcase his musical talents. The music is beautiful even if you're not especially into Chaplin; it's relaxing, inspiring, gentle and evocative. Come to think of it, those adjectives describe Chaplin himself. Highly recommended."

A gem

Craig Lee Asbury ( www.craigleeasbu | 02/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"People tend to overlook what an all around creative genius Charlie Chaplin was. His music is as rich and vital as the movies they come from. This collection contains some very loving interpretations of Chaplin's best known themes. Of particular note is the version of 'Limelight' included here. If you ever saw the wonderful documentary 'The first 100 years, a celebration of American film' then you have heard this already. Personally I hunted for literally years to find this track as it stands as perhaps the finest I have ever heard (and I have nearly 10 versions of 'Limelight' by which to judge it against).
This album dates from the early 70's and hails from France, but was well recorded and sounds brilliant and alive. Chaplin (or Charlot as the French know him) has always been shown great respect by European musicians, and this album continues the fine tradition. A must have for dedicated fans, and a wonderful introduction to his music for anyone who never realized Chaplin was a composer.
Craig :0)"