3) Le Miroir d'argent

Le miroir d'argent, compact disk edited by the Centre de valorisation du patrimoine vivant, in collaboration with the Folklore Archives of Laval University, Quebec, 1995.

For the fiftieth anniversary of the Folklore Archives of Laval University, the Centre du patrimoine vivant (CVPV) [Living Heritage Centre] decided to produce a compact disk from tapes of songs strored in the archives, the largest collection of its kind in North America. Le miroir d'argent [The Silver Mirror] is the second recording produced by these archives; some may remember Québec-Acadie, which was released some years ago by these same archives.

Le miroir d'argent contains 35 pieces from the traditional repertoire, interpreted by 38 singers and musicians, including songs and fiddles tunes, airs played on the accordion, the harmonica or the Jew's harp, and mouth music (turluttes). Many of the songs are a capella, but the lack of musical accompaniment does not necessarily make for a dry recording, on the contrary, it especially depends on the context in which the disk is listened to.

These pieces are the original versions collected in during of interviews with informants in situ and were never meant to be commercialized. As they were collected between 1944 and 1978, the quality of the recording varies from one piece to another, as the technology differs according to the researcher and the time period. As can be noted on the CD, the collections come from far afield, from all parts of the province, as well as from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

In the booklet which accompanies the CD, the time and place of the recording are specified as well as the name of the interpretor and of the collector. Lyrics are included as are comments on the instrumental pieces. Through its songs and airs, Le miroir d'argent presents a great opportunity to discover a fragment of the collective French-Canadian memory through their music. As these are original interpretations, they will no doubt please those who seek the "real thing". The vaults of the Folklore Archives contain a vast sound collection, and it is hoped that very soon a third volume will be produced from this material which for far too long has lain silent. In conclusion, if one day you find yourself a bit depressed, I suggest you listen to the 32nd track.

par Éric Favreau, septembre 1996