With Carla

The inaugural program of Sylvaine Hélary’s tenure as Artistic Director of the ONJ, With Carla revisits protean universe of American composer.  A pianist, composer, magnificent arranger, conductor, but also rebellious, shy, wild, adventurous, and fiercely independent, this prolific American artist left behind a treasure trove of scores and recordings.

In collaboration with the inventive saxophonist Rémi Sciuto, who co-wrote the arrangements with Sylvaine Hélary, the orchestra offers a panoramic journey in 11 tracks, from her “hits” (Musique Mécanique, Útviklingssang, Ups and Downs), to orchestral frescoes (Major), via gentle or humorous songs (Very Very Simple), chamber moments and unbridled rhythms (Wrong Key Donkey).

Inspired by the cabaret form, this quasi-operatic creation aims to resurrect the influence of the woman who was the model for many musicians, and celebrates her work by approaching it in a new light. A creation embracing all musical cultures, where the spirit of freedom, fantasy and comic power rub shoulders with rigor, exacting standards and originality.