Short Description: The sheet music is an arrangement of "La Mer" (Charles Trenet) for choir a capella out of the album "La mer",
incl. lyrics
and chord symbols. Arranged close to the original recording.
Licensed Territory: worldwide
Instrumentation: Choir (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)
Interpreter: Charles Trenet
Music and Words by: Charles Trenet / Albert Abraham Lasry
Level: 4 (of 5)
Pages: 6
Order No. 101-955-8013d
Guarantee: yes
Video: Please click on the video icon above!
Songfacts:
La Mer is one of the most famous pieces by Charles Trenet. It was published in 1946 and has been interpreted time and again up to the present day. There are at least 400 different versions. The piece has also spread into the English-speaking world, partly as the French original, partly under the title Beyond the Sea. Among the English versions the interpretations by Bobby Darin from the early 60s and George Benson from the 80s are particularly well-known. It also features in the soundtrack of a whole range of motion pictures among many others: Finding Nemo, The Dreamers (Bernardo Bertolucci) and Mr. Bean’s Holiday (see video above).
According to Charles Trenet (1913-2001) La Mer was created three years before its publication and was considered too little “swing” for a hit, which is why it remained in the drawer for the time being. In fact, it is noticeable that the vocals are performed in the swing, while the orchestra is playing the eighth notes evenly. This is also reflected in the jazzinotes edition. As a result, the character of the piece varies between American swing and European chanson or orchestral piece. This is perhaps the very characteristic of the sea: it borders on different countries and cultures. The philosophy behind the lyrics is closely related to the "mediterranean" philosophy of Albert Camus.
The choir arrangement is close to the original recording. It is quite ambitious. In Soprano, Alto and Bass you sometimes find two voices.
At jazzinotes you also find the score for piano & vocal and for orchetra and choir.
Transposition:
We can transpose this score for you. This is how it works:
1. Order it in the original version.
You’ll receive the transposition within a couple of days as a pdf file you can open using your password for the original version.