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It's Five O'Clock, Paris Awakens
Level: Advanced
Duration: 2’10
Instrumentation: Flute and Pedal Harp Duet
“It is five o’clock, Paris awakens” (Il est 5h, Paris s’éveille) is an iconic 1968 French song by singer-songwriter Jacques Dutronc. It has been covered by artists such as Sylvie Vartan, Jacques Le Glou, Ange, Zaz and An Pierlé, and was voted the best French-language single of all time, beating Jacques Brel’s “Ne me quitte pas” into second place. The song features a famous, playful flute solo improvised by renowned classical flutist Roger Bourdin on the day of the recording. The entire song was writing over the course of a dinner between Jacques Dutronc and the director of his label, Jacques Lanzmann, and the lyrics describe landmarks of the French capital.
This is the version “Traversées” perform live in concert. The harp handles the melody and upbeat accompaniment while the flute responds with an elaborate birdlike counterpoint. The PDF file includes both the score and parts. Suitable for intermediate-advanced students as well professionals looking for an entertaining yet virtuosic addition to their repertoire.