Released 14 December 2010 Recorded 2010 Length 4:05 | Format Digital download Genre Waltz Label Warner Bros.
Milan | |
"Chanson Illusionist" is a song recorded by French animator and musician Sylvain Chomet for the official soundtrack to the 2010 animated film, The Illusionist. It was distributed digitally on 14 December 2010 through Warner Bros. Records and Milan Records, along with the rest of the parent album. Chomet wrote the piece while Terry Davies conducted and arranged its production.
Contents
Background and composition
In the recording, voice impersonations of Juliette Gréco, Les Frères Jacques, Georges Brassens, Barbara, Yves Montand, Édith Piaf, Jacques Brel, and Serge Gainsbourg are performed by an ensemble cast of voice actors. French impersonators Didier Gustin, Jil Aigrot, and Frédéric Lebon fulfilled the task over Chomet's original composition. "Chanson Illusionist" was written by Chomet while its orchestral production was handled by Terry Davies, who also conducted it. Acting as the composter, Chomet selected Isobel Griffiths and Lucy Whalley to handle the conduction of the accompanying orchestra while Sonia Slany led it, accompanied by a piano arrangement created by Gwilyn Simcock. Lasting four minutes and five seconds, Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune, described the composition as a "gentle waltz".
Critical reception
William Ruhlmann, of AllMusic and CD Universe, thanked Chomet for the French and Scottish musical elements within his production, particularly the former in this recording; he claimed: "The French aspect comes up right away". "Chanson Illusionist" was included on the official list of 41 contenders for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2010, but it ultimately did not received a nomination.