Sunday, December 28, 2008

PLAISIR D'AMOUR

This famous French song about faithless love has a simple but beautiful melody; it was written originally as a poem by Jean de Florian (1755-94) in his romance C'lestine, and was set to music by Jean Martini, who in spite of his name was German; he was born Johann Paul Aegidius Scwartzendorf in 1741.

The title translates as "The Joys Of Love," but like so many French songs it sounds much better in French, even to non-speakers. Although "Plaisir D'Amour" is written from a male perspective, it has been recorded largely by female artists including Rina Ketty in 1939, by Greek songstress Nana Mouskouri with solo guitar accompaniment, and by the opera singer Dame Janet Baker with full orchestral accompaniment. One of the few contemporary male recordings was by the King's Singers.

Let's enjoy Plaisir d'Amour via several selected versions:


SUNG BYJOAN BAEZ AND NANA MOUSKOURI


SUNG BY TEREZA KESOVIA


SUNG BY YULIA TOWSEND


IN CONCERT WITH GIOVANNI BALLISLA MARLINI
AN AMAZING VIOLINIST

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