In 2016, the OSM and the Francofolies de Montréal introduced Birkin-Gainsbourg Le Symphonique, which Jane Birkin has been carting around the world ever since. This is a second opportunity to rediscover the great classics born of the collaboration between Gainsbarre and Birkin, a mythical couple if ever there was one. It is also an opportunity to realize the classical content of these brilliant songs, orchestrated for 72 musicians by Nobuyuki Nakajima, and once again performed by Jane in memory of her “Sège”.
With 15 instalments and as many or more auxiliary releases, Final Fantasy remains fantastic but shows no sign of finalizing anything. Over a third of a century, the video-game franchise has retained its place as an all-time great for gamers, a paradigm-shifter on par with Pac-Man and Pong. Unsurprisingly, its music has a Pavlovian emotional resonance for legions of gamers globally, particularly that of the revered Final Fantasy VII. Three years after their first spin through Montreal on the 20th anniversary of that lucky seventh entry, Grammy winner Arnie Roth again unsheathes his might baton again and conducts the 100-piece Distant Worlds orchestra and choir through the game’s musical history, accompanied by projected visuals. VII’s sounds get a place of honour on the programme, but so do some numbers from the most recent Final Fantasy XV. These were composed by the concert’s special guest, Yoko Shimomura (pictured here), whose memorable, emotive melodies, and intrepid intermingling of classical and current pop, have placed her at the pinnacle of video-game soundtrack production.
How many musicians can you think of that include daily long-distance runs, calisthenics and martial arts training in their practice schedule? That’s what’s required of the percussionists in Japanese ensemble Tao, which since 1993 has brought the fearsome thunder of traditional taiko drumming, enhanced by flavours from elsewhere in Asia and a striking theatrical flair, to stages around the world. Excitement is guaranteed when they start clubbing the skins at Place des Arts.
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