Gala International de l'Harmonica

September 2002 · 13 tracks · Harmonica · Classical · Jazz · Blues · Folk · Film Music · Gospel · Live

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About this album

The International Harmonica Gala brings together the world's finest harmonica virtuosos on stage. An exceptional live concert that crosses all musical boundaries — from classical to jazz, blues to folk, film music to gospel hymns.

Featuring works by legendary composers such as Ennio Morricone, Henry Mancini, Béla Bartók and Johann Strauss, performed by the Harmonica Orchestra of Lorraine, Piet Moerer, Blizza Harmonica Gang, Quatuor Chiokerly, New Trio International, Joël Hanriot and Jean Louis Emmenecker.

The Concert

On September 21, 2002, the Salle Pablo Picasso in Homécourt was sold out. Jean-Louis Emmenecker, French virtuoso harmonica player and founder of the Harmonica Orchestra of Lorraine, had a gift for bringing the right people together — musicians from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany — to show the world the best the harmonica had to offer. Born in the Lorraine iron basin, having performed at Bobino and the Salle Pleyel, he had made Homécourt a meeting point for harmonica players from around the world.

The programme says it all: American country with Tom T. Hall, cinema with Ennio Morricone and John Barry, jazz with Glenn Miller, classical with Bartók and Strauss, Celtic with Youenn Le Berre, and to close — Amazing Grace, with every artist on stage at the same time. That collective finale was his idea. It's not something usually done in this world. That evening, it was.

Particular care was given to the sound: recording, mixing, editing and mastering by Laurent Berna. Jean-Louis Emmenecker is no longer with us. This recording is one of the lasting traces of what he built for the harmonica in France.

Artists

Jean-Louis Emmenecker
French virtuoso harmonica player, founder of the HOL. Born in Lorraine, he performed at Bobino and the Salle Pleyel. L'Est Républicain, 2021
Piet Moerer
Dutch harmonica player, member of the The Multicats trio from Rotterdam, with Joop and Lucien Winterberg.
Joël Hanriot
French harmonica player. Teacher at the MJC in Auxerre, he collaborated with the Paris Musical Acoustics Laboratory (LAM) on research dedicated to the diatonic harmonica.
Blizza Harmonica Gang
German group, members: Siegfried Brugier, Eugen Feltin and Siegmar Kreitz.
Harmonica Orchestra de Lorraine

Tracks

1

Sur la route de Memphis

Harmonica Orchestra de Lorraine · Country Pop
Martine Stelle, Jean Fiack, Jean Houet, Hubert Kemen, Guy Marchetti, Claude Petit, René Ponthieux, Robert Renouf, Roger Robert, Michel Tremeau, Bernard Trognon, Michel Wasielewski, Jean Malara, André Kreps, Jean Stec
Compositeur : Tom T. Hall

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Description
Immerse yourself in the warm world of country music with "On the Road to Memphis", performed live by the Harmonica Orchestra of Lorraine. This iconic piece by Tom T. Hall takes you straight to the American highways, full of emotion, freedom, and authenticity.
2

Somewhere in Time

Piet Moerer (Hollande) · Film Score
Compositeur : John Barry

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Description
Let yourself be carried away by the timeless beauty of "Somewhere in Time", composed by John Barry. Performed live by Piet Moerer, this iconic film piece immerses you in a world of nostalgia and pure emotion.
3

Latin Quarter

Piet Moerer (Hollande) · Jazz, Swing
Compositeur : Traditionnel

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Description
Step into a jazz club with "Latin Quarter", a lively swing piece. Performed by Piet Moerer, this performance highlights the playful and rhythmic side of the harmonica, full of irresistible groove.
4

In The Mood

Blizza Harmonica Gang (Allemagne) · Jazz, Big Band
Siegmar Kreitz (soliste), Eugen Feltin (polyphonia), Siegfried Brugier (basse)
Compositeur : Glenn Miller

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Description
Feel the swing energy with "In The Mood", made famous by Glenn Miller. The Blizza Harmonica Gang delivers a precise and energetic interpretation of this jazz classic.
5

Saint Louis Blues

Blizza Harmonica Gang (Allemagne) · Blues
Siegmar Kreitz (soliste), Eugen Feltin (polyphonia), Siegfried Brugier (basse)
Compositeur : W.C. Handy

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Description
Dive into the soul of blues with "Saint Louis Blues", composed by W.C. Handy. The Blizza Harmonica Gang delivers an expressive and authentic interpretation of this classic blues.
6

L'Alouette

Quatuor Chiokerly (France) · Classique, Folk
Marcel Lin (violon), Augustin Masala (accordéon), Serge Moché (marimba), Claude Massat (contrebasse)
Compositeur : Grigoraș Dinicu

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Description
Discover "L'Alouette" by Grigoraș Dinicu. The Chiokerly Quartet delivers an elegant and refined performance, showcasing the harmonica's virtuosity and expressiveness.
7

Marche de Radetzky

Quatuor Chiokerly (France) · Classique
Marcel Lin (violon), Augustin Masala (accordéon), Serge Moché (marimba), Claude Massat (contrebasse)
Compositeur : Johann Strauss I

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Description
Enjoy a classical favourite with "Radetzky March" by Johann Strauss I. Performed by the Chiokerly Quartet, this live version is festive, lively, and full of energy!
8

Cushion Dance

New Trio International · Contemporain
Jean-Louis Emmenecker (soliste, France), Joop Winterberg (polyphonia, Hollande), Gerhard Werner (basse, Allemagne), Guy Schneider (contrebasse, France)
Compositeur : Béla Bartók

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Description
Discover "Cushion Dance" by Béla Bartók. The New Trio International presents a contemporary interpretation full of surprising nuances and rhythms.
9

Accordecelte

New Trio International · Folk Celtique
Jean-Louis Emmenecker (soliste, France), Joop Winterberg (polyphonia, Hollande), Gerhard Werner (basse, Allemagne), Guy Schneider (contrebasse, France)
Compositeur : Youenn Le Berre, François Ovide

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Description
Travel into Celtic traditions with "Accordecelte" by Youenn Le Berre and François Ovide. A lively and warm performance by the New Trio International.
10

Moon River

Joël Hanriot (France) · Film, Pop
Christian Sauvage (piano), Guy Schneider (contrebasse)
Compositeur : Henry Mancini

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Description
Rediscover "Moon River", a masterpiece by Henry Mancini, performed by Joël Hanriot. A soft, emotional, and heartfelt version.
11

L'homme à l'harmonica

Jean-Louis Emmenecker (France) · Film Western
Marcel Lin (violon), Augustin Masala (accordéon), Serge Moché (marimba), Claude Massat (contrebasse), Guy Schneider (basse, contrebasse)
Compositeur : Ennio Morricone

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Description
Enter the world of western cinema with "Man with a Harmonica" by Ennio Morricone. A powerful cinematic performance by Jean Louis Emmenecker.
12

Czardas

Jean-Louis Emmenecker (France) · Classique Virtuose
Marcel Lin (violon), Augustin Masala (accordéon), Serge Moché (marimba), Claude Massat (contrebasse), Guy Schneider (basse, contrebasse)
Compositeur : Vittorio Monti

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Description
Experience "Czardas" by Vittorio Monti. Jean Louis Emmenecker delivers a spectacular performance, combining virtuosity and expressiveness.
13

Amazing Grace

Final — tous les artistes · Gospel
Jean-Louis Emmenecker, Joël Hanriot, Piet Moerer, Gerhard Werner, Harmonica Orchestra de Lorraine, Blizza Harmonica Gang, Quatuor Chiokerly, New Trio International
Compositeur : John Newton

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Description
Close the concert with "Amazing Grace", hymn written by John Newton. All artists — Jean Louis Emmenecker, Joël Hanriot, Piet Moerer, Gerhard Werner — come together for an emotional and unforgettable finale.