James Bond Symphonique at the Grand Rex

Comments

• Gerard

  November 2019 Posts: 5,994

  Bought my ticket this morning. Will tell you how it went when I see it.
• Gerard

  February 2020 Posts: 5,994

  All right, here's my review of the concert :
  
  On saturday, february 15th, I got a round of applause by the audience at the Grand Rex in Paris. Why, might you ask ? Well because I knew the answer to the question the orchestra leader asked, which was "Who composed the music of TSWLM ?" I mean, that's something every Bond fan knows, but I was the only one to say the answer out loud.
  
  Okay, now that that is said, let's talk about the concert itself. It started at 20.00(ish), and during the three hours it lasted, we were treated to some of the most famous themes associated to the franchise. It started with the other Bond theme, 007, and continued by a mix of various orchestral pieces (John Barry getting of course the lion's share, but there was also some Marvin Hamlisch, Michael Kamen and David Arnold put in for good measure) and songs. Singer/actress Prisca Desmarez sang the "Girl Songs" (starting with DAF, and ending with GF, with other songs including "Nobody Does It Better", YOLT, SF and GE) while singer/actor Damien Sargues sang the "Men Songs (starting with FRWL and ending with "You Know My Name", with nods to TLD and AVTAK). The orchestra, under the direction of Samuel Sené completed the program ith instrumental suites from TB, YOLT, OHMSS, TSWLM, MR, LTK and TWINE, among others. Samuel Sené served also as the MC, telling us about the stories behind the songs and tunes we heard, and giving us a small course about the musical theories behind each song, and gently quizzing us about the movies.
  
  At the end, for the encore, we had a little surprise : the sheet music for NTTD having been edited that day, he offered a instrumental version at the piano (with the help of three of his 50 musicians), before priscilla and Damien sang the best duet of the series. No, not "Another Way to Die", thank heavens, but LALD, before the orchestra reprised the James Bond Theme. The concert got a well-deserved standing ovation, and I really was glad to have been in the audience that night.
  
  Now, on to the negative part of the review (don't worry, nothing to do with the concert itself). First, you would have expected a merchandise stand, but there weren't any, not even a programme of the concert. And second, the trip back home was anything but smooth. Due to the rarity of transportation at this time of night, I had to walk a bit longer than I expected, managing to get home at 1.15 am. But the concert was worth it, and when it goes on tour, I recommand it to all Bond fans in the places it will take place (look at the first post to know when and where). And if you want to have a taste of how it was like, feast your eyes and your ears on this :
  
  
• Gerard

  November 2022 edited December 2022 Posts: 5,994

  As you may know, the tour of the concert was cancelled due to CoVid. Well, they have decided to do it next year. So, you'll be able to see the concert from february onwards in 2023. Here are the dates.
  
  
  
  
  
  Add to that two dates at the Grand Rex in Paris (february 11th and 12th).
  
  Hopefully, it won't be cancelled again.
• mattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s

  December 2022 Posts: 7,021

  This is good.
  
  
• j_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'

  December 2022 Posts: 9,038

  mattjoes wrote: »

  This is good.
  
  

  
  It is indeed!
  

  Gerard wrote: »

  312054501_570811658379111_6383241494403747334_n.png?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e3f864&_nc_ohc=eJqRDGp-vokAX9ZhzzB&_nc_ht=scontent-cdt1-1.xx&oh=00_AfCQBJAGbEz3YvQg6IK2Oe3Z9jTP2-M4AvwqqF2M7VO_-Q&oe=6385F020

  
  If this was meant to be a list of dates, I'm afraid I don't have time....
  
  
• Gerard

  December 2022 Posts: 5,994

  If this was meant to be a list of dates, I'm afraid I don't have time....
  
  [/quote]
  
  No, it was meant to be a poster with all the dates on it. Unfortunately, it seems that I can't post pictures found on FaceBook.
• j_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'

  December 2022 Posts: 9,038

  Gerard wrote: »

  If this was meant to be a list of dates, I'm afraid I don't have time....
  

  
  No, it was meant to be a poster with all the dates on it. Unfortunately, it seems that I can't post pictures found on FaceBook.[/quote]
  
  Sorry, I can't help, as I have managed to avoid basícally every so-called social network so far (minus LinkedIn).
• Gerard

  December 2023 edited December 2023 Posts: 5,994

  Bond Symphonique will be back at the Grand Rex on march 15th and march 16th 2024, at 20.00 CET :
  
  https://www.legrandrex.com/evenement/1558
  
  
  
  Don't know about a tour, though.
• mattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s

  July 13 edited July 13 Posts: 7,021

  mattjoes wrote: »

  This is good.
  
  

  
  Did anybody save this video by any chance? It was a really good performance of the climactic music of Thunderball. The arrangement was not particularly innovative, but it sounded great. I wish I could give it another listen.