Jane Birkin to Perform Symphonic Tribute to Serge Gainsbourg at Carnegie Hall
By: Caryn Robbins Sep. 19, 2017
Actress, singer, songwriter and fashion icon Jane Birkin will perform Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le symphonique-her tribute to late husband Serge Gainsbourg-with a symphonic orchestra at Carnegie Hall on February 1. The concert marks Birkin's first U.S. performance since 2011 and is part of an extensive international concert tour that has seen her playing to full houses in Montreal, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and London, among many other cities. American Express pre-sale is available from September 20 at 10 A.M. to September 21 at 10 P.M., followed by venue/promoter pre-sale on September 21 (10 A.M. to 10 P.M.). Public on-sale begins September 22 at 10 A.M.-all times are Eastern. Tickets available at Carnegiehall.org, by phone at 212.247.7800 and in person at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, located at 881 Seventh Avenue in New York City.
The LP Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le symphonique is out now to wide critical acclaim-stream, share and purchase HERE. Arranged by Emmy Award-winner Nobuyuki Nakajima with artistic direction by Philippe Lerichomme, the album features symphonic versions of classic Gainsbourg songs ranging from the beginnings of his career in the 1950s to those written especially for Birkin, such as "Jane B" and "Baby Alone in Babylone," penned after the legendary couple's separation.
As Gainsbourg's companion of 12 years (during which daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg was born), Birkin occupies a unique position as an interpreter of his music. "It is a privilege that one of the greatest French writers wrote for me from the age of 20 to 45," Birkin says. "In a way it never stopped. It's a strange situation. What can I do for him now, even though it's too late! At least I can wear him, take him with me. Say his words!" Having sung his songs on stages around the world for more than 30 years, Birkin came to the realization that Gainsbourg had been so inspired by and used classical music so often within his music that a symphonic project would mark a truly logical extension of his body of work.
A live collaboration with Nakajima in Japan surrounding a benefit for the victims of the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster led to a deep admiration for his arrangements of Gainsbourg's music and solidified the concept. "Nobu writes beautiful arrangements, so delicate, so moving," she notes. "He has understood Serge's charm, which can be funny as well as dramatic, can make you laugh out loud or cry when your soul is touched."
Gainsbourg was a prolific singer/songwriter, novelist, actor and filmmaker known for his provocative words and outrageous behavior. His musical genius-covering classical, chanson, jazz, rock, reggae and more-is still felt in France and around the world more than 25 years after his death in 1991. An inspiration for musicians across the world, his songs have been sampled by artists ranging from De La Soul to Massive Attack and his work cited as influences by Beck, Yo La Tengo and Tame Impala, to name just a few. So important is his impact on the cultural life of his home country that François Mitterrand, the French president at the time of Gainsbourg's death, described him as "our Baudelaire, our Apollinaire...he elevated song to the level of art."
BIRKIN/GAINSBOURG: LE SYMPHONIQUE
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TRACK LIST
1. Lost Song
2. Dépression au-dessus du jardin 3. Baby Alone in Babylone 4. Physique et sans issue 5. Ces petits riens 6. L'aquoiboniste 7. Valse de Melody 8. Fuir le bonheur de peur qu'il ne se sauve 9. Requiem pour un con 10. Une chose entre autres 11. Amour des feintes 12. Exercice en forme de Z 13. Manon 14. La chanson de Prévert 15. Les dessous chics 16. L'amour de moi 17. Pull marine 18. La gadoue 19. Jane B. 20. L'anamour 21. La Javanaise |
CONCERT SET LIST:
1. Ces petits riens
2. Lost Song
3. Dépression au-dessus du jardin
4. Baby Alone in Babylone
5. Physique et sans issue
6. Ballade de Johnny Jane
7. l'Aquoiboniste
8. Valse de melody
9. Fuir le bonheur de peur qu'il ne se sauve
10. Requiem pour un con
11. Une chose entre autres
12. Amours des feintes
13. Exercice en forme de z
14. Manon
15. la chanson de Prévert
16. les Dessous chics
17. l'amour de moi
18. Pull marine
19. la gadoue
20. Jane B.
21. l'Anamour
22. medley instrumental (lemon incest / je
t'aime... moi non plus / initials b.b. / ma lou marilou / my lady heroïne) 23. La Javanaise
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