The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge) is a childhood favorite short film. I ripped the audio from it and listen to it occasionally. It gets to me every time. A work of beauty. I’ve seen some of his works on iTunes. Any thoughts, recommendations? Thanks! - jack
Haven't watched THE RED BALLOON for a long time, so I don't recall the music.
I did, however, discover Maurice Leroux's music for Nicholas Ray's 1957 BITTER VICTORY when I purchased the DVD of that film.
Leroux's score for BITTER VICTORY is in the modern/post-modern vernacular, not unlike some other French composers works from the late '50s/early '60s (such as Pierre Jansen's 1960 LES BONNES FEMMES for Claude Chabrol).
As for the family picture/children's films category, the same man who directed THE RED BALLOON (Albert Lamorisse) also created VOYAGE EN BALLON in 1960 with a soundtrack by Jean Prodromides (which should be more to your liking with respect to tonal/pastoral/impressionistic music than something such as BITTER VICTORY).
Leroux also provided music for an early Jean-Luc Godard film (LE PETIT SOLDAT) and a late '60s film directed by Alain Cavalier (LA CHAMADE).
You may also wish to check out the earlier short film by Lamorisse / Leroux called WHITE MANE (1953).
Haven't watched THE RED BALLOON for a long time, so I don't recall the music.
I did, however, discover Maurice Leroux's music for Nicholas Ray's 1957 BITTER VICTORY when I purchased the DVD of that film.
Leroux's score for BITTER VICTORY is in the modern/post-modern vernacular, not unlike some other French composers works from the late '50s/early '60s (such as Pierre Jansen's 1960 LES BONNES FEMMES for Claude Chabrol).
As for the family picture/children's films category, the same man who directed THE RED BALLOON (Albert Lamorisse) also created VOYAGE EN BALLON in 1960 with a soundtrack by Jean Prodromides (which should be more to your liking with respect to tonal/pastoral/impressionistic music than something such as BITTER VICTORY).
Leroux also provided music for an early Jean-Luc Godard film (LE PETIT SOLDAT) and a late '60s film directed by Alain Cavalier (LA CHAMADE).
You may also wish to check out the earlier short film by Lamorisse / Leroux called WHITE MANE (1953).
I found an older thread in which you spoke of Bitter Victory and an additional clip on YouTube as well. I found the music intriguing, some of it almost Herrmannesque of that time period. I may have to acquire the DVD if for no other reason than to hear his score. The search continues Thanks!
