A mandolin, films and memories: a concert like no other in Loix

The idea is rather to evoke the spectators' memories by mixing cult music and evocative images. "The few images that will be projected will allow people to search through their memories. Sometimes, we don't even remember the film anymore, we remember the music."

The evening's program is intended to be hybrid. On one side, classical works made famous by the cinema, such as Handel's "Sarabande" played in Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon," or Barber's "Adagio," heard in "Platoon." On the other, real film scores, written for the screen: Lalo Schifrin's "Mission Impossible," John Williams's "Schindler's List," or Ennio Morricone's legendary pieces for the Dollars trilogy.

The whole thing is arranged for a particular formation: a mandolin, played by Vincent Beer-Demander himself, and a classical string quintet (two violins, a viola, a cello and a double bass). Some pieces were adapted by the composers themselves, others by the Marseille artist.

The origin of this project: the desire to restore the mandolin to a prominent place in the contemporary musical landscape. "Ten years ago, I was thinking with a violinist friend about how to bring the mandolin out of the obscurity of the general public," says Vincent.

His solution? Ask great popular composers, "popular in the noble sense of the term, pieces known to the public," to write for this instrument. Vladimir Cosma, Jean-Claude Petit, Claude Bolling, and Ennio Morricone have all responded. "I could never have afforded Morricone; he charged me zero," he confides, admiringly. "In fact, it reminds them of when they were at the conservatory, when they made music for their friends."

For him, film music remains, in essence, classical music, but in a more direct and immediately appealing form. "A film composer must hook you within the first ten seconds," he emphasizes.

Vincent Beer-Demander has been participating in Musique en Ré for two years and praises the unique atmosphere. "There's a real desire among the musicians to play together, an ambition to serve the great works of the repertoire." He highlights the richness of the program: "baroque, film music, opera, contemporary music, jazz... There's everything."

And then there's the setting. "It's different playing in squares on the Île de Ré than in a multi-purpose hall in the industrial zone of Tarbes," he smiles. "We make music at a high level, but in a relaxed way. It's rare." A unique setting, a friendly atmosphere, and musicians united around a sincere project. Everything contributes to making this evening a highlight of the festival.