Official release of the double album of the Orchestra of the Palace Guards

The new vinyl double album of the Orchestra of the Palace Guards was presented at a Gala evening event on March 7. From its inception in 2022, this project has received support from Ms Françoise Gamerdinger, Director of Cultural Affairs, and Mr Jean-Charles Curau, President of SOGEDA.

The four sides of the double album reflect a desire to conserve Monegasque musical heritage:

Disc 1 Side A: Monegasque military ceremony music

Disc 1 Side B: Conservation of intangible heritage

Disc 2 Side C: Tribute to Prince Rainier III

Disc 2 Side B: Excerpt from 2024 musical repertoire

In good timing with the commemoration of the centenary of Prince Rainier III's birth, the project was expanded to include works from that era and a handwritten poem by Prince Rainier, discovered in the Archives of the Prince's Palace by the Orchestra's conductor, Major Drean. Titled "Piccola città", this work was played at the concert - its world début.The Orchestra was assisted by Ms Karen Ardisson-Salopek for the a capella recording of the national hymn to ensure proper pronunciation and compliance with protocol.

The double album was recorded in two phases in October 2022 and March 2023 at the cinema of the Prince's Palace by Syde & Sound Paris and mixed at Studio Ferber in Paris.

With the excellent sound quality obtained, all that remained was to design the album cover. The Department of Cultural Affairs selected and sponsored the artist Anthony Alberti to produce artwork based on themes related to the Orchestra of the Palace Guards.

"When Ms Françoise GAMERDINGER contacted me for a project for the Orchestra of the Palace Guards, I was curious: how could I create something that reflects the essence of this military unit in a single image? I decided to proceed as usual, by requesting a range of materials, objects, instruments and other decorative items that constitute the daily life of these honourable professionals who are dedicated to the same cause: Honour, Loyalty and Devotion.

After discussions with Lieutenant-Colonel Martial Pied and Major Olivier Drean, I suggested creating an eye that looked in a common direction. They liked the idea, and it was decided the eye would be that of the Chief of the Service, whose vision is followed by the Orchestra.

We took a few photos and a portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Martial Pied, and I studied the materials and subjects entrusted to me, which are full of history and meaning. An idea for an album cover came to me naturally; I only had to decide how I'd create the image. Every detail in the work is a reference to these people of honour", explains the artist.

The record is not for sale. A link to download the album is available on the Palace Guards website (https://carabiniers.gouv.mc ). For all official protocol matters, consult the Orchestra page.

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