Secrets of a talented composer by Dorian (April 21, 2005)
The integral CD release of the music François de Roubaix wrote for TV series LES SECRETS DE LA MER ROUGE is both a representative compilation and a integral single score release at the same time. The series had 2 seasons: first in 1968, second in 1975. François de Roubaix's career lasted from 1965 to 1975. Therefore we have a unique possibility here to hear him composing music for the same title at the very beginning and at the very end of his career. Fans of de Roubaix know how different were his musical approaches in the beginning and in the end.
The first season contains music in the what I call "de Roubaix's adventurous/friendship style", played by flutes, guitars, percussions. The main theme brings the feeling of sailing the ship on the sea towards the unknown adventures lying ahead. The main theme is played by a flute, but most of the other themes are played by the guitar.
Then, as the mono recordings change into stereo, the score takes a different course. Now the leading sounds are mainly electronic, created by synthesisers. The musical research done in the weird sound experiments enhances the feeling of something unknown which lies ahead (or below the sea). When both seasons heard together, we have a vision of a talented composer, who was not afraid of any experiment, and whose style evolved a lot. Unfortunately his natural passion for the sea and diving, which is evident from the score, was fatal for François de Roubaix.
The original soundtrack has never been released in the time of the series, but instead an LP titled 'La Mer Rouge et Ses Secrets' came out, containing spoken memories by Henri de Monfreid, who was actually the original character, on whose novel of memories the idea of the series had been based. The 36-minute long programme of the LP, where the narration is combined with some of the themes from the score, is also fully included on the CD release. Beautifully made in digipack with comprehensive liner notes, this CD is to be recommended to everyone who likes either adventure or an inventive music. If you like both, it is a must.