Paris - La Défense - 1990


The French National Day 1990 celebration marked the closing of the festivities celebrating the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. Jarre conceived a gigantic concert for Paris’ downtown, modern business quarters.

 

La Defense, it must be said, formed the perfect background, not simply because of its futuristic character, but also because of the tall skyscrapers, von Spreckelsen's new Arc de Triomphe and steel monoliths which line the horizon visible from the centre of the city. Jarre designed a pyramid-shaped stage to fit the geometrical architecture of the setting where he performed with his musicians, a classical Arab ensemble (France’s second largest community), and others including a choir, a steel-drum band and gigantic dancing puppets of various kinds. The entire show was synchronised and illuminated by 65 tons of fireworks, as well as laser and light projections on the tall buildings. For over two hours Jarre enchanted yet another record live audience of 2.5 million people, and most of Paris was replete with electronic sounds and a sea of light on this festive July summer evening.


Track list:

1. Paris La Defense

2. Oxygene 4

3. Equinoxe 4

4. Equinoxe 5

5. Souvenir of China

6. Magnetic Fields 2

7. Ethnicolor

8. Ethni-transition

9. Zoolookologie

10. Revolution, Revolutions

11. Second Rendez-Vous

12. Calypso 2

13. Calypso 3

14. Calypso 1

15. Fourth Rendez-Vous

16. Calypso 1 (Encore)

 

Musicians:

Jean Michel Jarre

The Amoco Renegades

Guy Delacroix

Christophe Deschamps

Sylvain Durand

Christine Durand

Michel Geiss

Les Choeurs Des Hauts De Seine

Dino Lumbroso

Al Mawsili classical arab orchestra

Larbi Ouechli

Dominique Perrier

Francis Rimbert

Frédéric Rousseau

 

Date and Place:

14. Juli 1990 - La Defense, Paris, France

 

Estimated audience:

2.500.000






Published on 5/20/2009 // 41 comments // > write a comment