45 R.P.M.: LE PRINTEMPS

HIT-2247 S, King Record Co. Ltd., Japan. P '76-3. Recorded in France. Barclay (A Riviera Production)

1. Le Printemps (Les 4 Saisons) (3:11) (Vivaldi)
   
2. Yuki no Furu Machi O (3:08) (Naoya Uchimura, Yoshinao Nakada)
   

    SLEEVE NOTES:

    The latest recording of the Grand Orchestra of Raymond Lefebvre, the charlatan of Love Sounds, who has had many hits including "Queen of Sheba," "Love Forever," "Canon of Tears," and the latest "End of Sorrow," and has many fans through his wonderful tours in Japan.     Paul Mauriat, Franck Pourcel, and Raymond Lefèvre are generally referred to as the three great grand orchestras of France, and Lefèvre is especially noted for its profound orchestration and brilliant string sounds.     Raymond Lefebvre was born on November 20, 1929 in Pas-de-Calais, Northern France. He studied piano from an early age and at the age of 19 enrolled in the flute department of the Paris Conservatoire (Conservatoire de la Musique Supérieure). At the age of 21, he entered the popular music world, playing piano in a jazz band, and at the age of 27 (1954), he formed his first band, which became the basis for the present grand orchestra. It was in this year that Lefebvre first gained recognition for his arrangement and backing for Dalida's hit song "Bambino", and since then, he has arranged and backed various popular singers, and has been active in orchestras mainly for TV.     The show has been performed three times in Japan, in February 1972, March 1974, and September 1975, and has been so popular that almost all tickets were sold out within a week of going on sale.     Lefebvre's persnality can be summed up in one word: mild. His popularity continues to grow as he conducts that magnificent orchestra on stage with the stage manner that comes from his warm personality. At home, he is the proud father of two boys and a refined wife, and takes time out of his busy schedule to go hunting with his sons. Side A Happy Concerto (from "Springtime of the Four Seasons"):
    This is Lefebvre's own arrangement of the theme of the most popular first movement from the ensemble concerto "Spring of Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi (1675~1741), a master of Italian Baroque music. Vivaldi was the most popular of the Baroque boom, and this "Four Seasons" in particular was performed by many chamber ensembles, including the "Academy Chamber Orchestra" and the "I Musici Ensemble," and was central to this Baroque boom. The final piece in the repertoire was performed by Lefebvre to thunderous applause. Lefebvre has successfully turned this lively melody, which is a harbinger of the coming of spring, into a pop classical number. Side B Yuki no Furu Machi O:
    A typical Japanese song with lyrics by Naoya Uchimura and music by Yoshinao Nakata. Lefebvre himself played the flute on stage in 1975. Note: Translation made by online translator.