Bourges - 2002


Jarre's most confidential performance to date took place at Bourges, France in April 2002. It was in the context of the very hype electronic music festival called Le Printemps de Bourges.The concert, more in the lines of a Master Class, was shared by a full house of no more than 100, in the historic setting of Palais Jacques-Coeur.

 

For the occasion Jarre had taken along his Theremin and synthesisers of both older and newer generation. The theme of this singular performance was the development of electronic music, and Jarre also played a piece, Blue, from one of his very first works, Aor, which he composed while he was studying with Pierre Schaeffer at GRM (Groupe de Recherches Musicales).


Jarre also performed two original compositions, Bourges I and Bourges II, which are in the vein of experimental techno and electronica, specially composed for the occasion. Jarre also introduced his various instruments and discussed his approach to composition and its evolution over the years.

 

The theme of the concert was the development of electronic music, so Jarre had brought new as well as old synthesizers, including the theremin. One surprising track performed during the concert was Blue, dating back to the early seventies, one of the parts from Aor, music composed while Jarre was studying under musique concrete legend, Pierre Schaefer. Other tracks included were Bourges I and II, mixing contemporary techno and electronica with improvisation. Between tracks Jarre would talk about his instruments as well as his student days with Schaeffer.

 

Track list:

AOR Bleu 2002 (Metallic Souvenir)

Metamorphoses 2002 (Body Language / Crazy Saturday)

Bourges 1 (Paris Bourges)

Bourges 2 (Alive in Bourges)

 

Musicians:

Jean Michel Jarre

Francis Rimbert

 

Date and Place:

April 12th 2002 - Bourges, France

 

Estimated audience:

100


Published on 5/20/2009 // 2 comments // > write a comment