LE VOYAGE EN BALLON (STOWAWAY IN THE SKY)

We are proud to offer in stereo the most complete CD version of the music composed by Jean Prodromides for Albert Lamorisse's Le Voyage en ballon as well as the complete soundtrack of Paul Paviot's short feature, Un Jardin public (1955) centered on the mime Marcel Marceau.
The huge orchestral and chorus score of Le Voyage en ballon contributed much to the movie success when released in 1960. The splendid sceneries of France are wonderfully captured in scope and color through a funny story, intended for children first. For the director, it was a kind of sequel to his previous short feature, Le Ballon rouge (The Red Balloon), an international classic.

The score had many versions on vinyl. In Europe, a few excerpts were released on an EP while an LP - a much less popular medium at that time - offered 30 minutes of music, including a version with an extensive narration. On the other hand, the American audience benefited from a LP release with ten additional minutes of music. Filled with enthusiasm for the film by Lamorisse, actor Jack Lemmon bought the distribution rights for United States. Unfortunately, his pervasive narration and the new soundtrack mixing of what became Stowaway in the Sky proved to be detrimental for the movie at the box office and, consequently, for the LP sales.

In the late '90's, the soundtrack to Le Voyage en ballon was reissued on CD in Japan in its short version with not best sound quality and inserts. So here is at last the unabridged, remastered version, achieved with the collaboration of the composer, an 82 yers old gentleman who lives in Paris and is recipient of many distinctions for his outstanding artistic contribution.16-page booklet.

1. Introduction - Les cloches de Bethune 2:06
2. Envol 1:56
3. Ballet de la chemise blanche 1:32
4. Alsace - Les Vosges 4:15
5. Paris 4:06
6. Chenonceaux - La chasse 1:23
7. Les grands voiliers - Goemons 4:41
8. Poursuite en Bretagne 3:12
9. Les Alpes - Les glaciers 4:42
10. Provence 3:03
11. Camargue - Les taureaux - Les flamands roses 4:35
12. Final 3:58
13. Un Jardin public (mono) 17:29