Short Description: The sheet music is a note-for-note transcription of "La
Mer" (Charles Trenet) in the interpretation of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli,
incl. chord symbols. In order to compare with the original you also find a part of the vocal of Charles Trenet.
Licensed Territory: worldwide
Instrumentation: Ensemble
Instruments: Violin (Stéphane Grappelli), guitar (Django Reinhardt), rhythm guitar, double bass
Instrumentation Details: On the original recording a piano is playing. You find a part with the accompaniment rhythm and the chord symbols that may played by guitar or piano (or both).
Interpreter: Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli
Music and Words by: Charles Trenet / Albert Abraham Lasry
Level: 4 (of 5)
Pages: 14 (4 score + 5 parts)
Order No. 101-380-8057d
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 original recording is the YouTube video "La Mer - Django Reinhardt". It is also part of the album "Stéphane Grappelli - From Paris with Love", released in 2021. First it was recorded in 1949, shortly before the death of Django Reinhardt. The solo instruments and the double bass are transcribed note-for-note. There part of the rhythm guitar consists of the chord rhythm and the chord symbols. You may perform it by guitar or by a piano or by both of them.
jazzinotes also offers the original version of Charles Trenet: as piano arrangement, as choir arrangement and as arrangement for orchestra and choir (very close to the original recording).
Transposition:
We can transpose this score for you. This is how it works:
1. Order it in the original version.
2. Order our article Transposition B
3. Send an informal email to info@jazzinotes.com (subject: “Transposition”).
In the text of the email please indicate title ofthe original as well as the
key desired.
You’ll receive the transposition within a couple of days as a pdf-file you can open using your password for the original version.