T’as Voulu Voir Jacques Brel et on a Vu… – Camille Seghers

The second album by Camille Seghers and Alexis Thibaut de Maisières for Paraty, this project originates from a reflection on how Jacques Brel composed with his musicians, based on a musical impulse, a motif, or a rhythm. In contrast to this process, Alexis Thibaut de Maisières—pianist and arranger of the project—proposes to bring out the musical sources from Brel’s songs that could have nourished them. Initially presented as a series of small “encores,” these arrangements evolved into a cycle over the course of various concerts. Each song draws upon one or more classical works as arrangement material. Known as a cornerstone of the project, “Les Désespérés” – linked to the history of the Ravel Concerto and Gérard Jouannest, Brel’s pianist – is approached with particular fidelity to its original composition, while “Amsterdam” is conceived as a small suite for solo cello. Carried by the cello of Camille Seghers and the piano of Alexis Thibaut de Maisières, the project allows Brel’s work to be heard without imitation, relying instead on instrumental expressiveness.