Terpandre

Terpandre was a French symphonic-rock band behind a 1978 instrumental album, released in 1981 on Dionysos.

Members: Bernard Monerri (guitar, percussion), Jacques Pina (piano, electric piano, clavinet, Mellotron), Michel Tardieu (keyboards), Michel Torelli (drums, percussion), Paul Fargier (bass)

Background

Terpandre originated in 1974 near Lyon, France, when guitarist Bernard Monerri teamed with pianist Jacques Pina for an instrumental rock project. The two met during a bar engagement by Pina and shared an interest in the works of Gustav Mahler and Béla Bartók. They rented a rehearsal room in Vancia, northeast of Lyon, and developed a repertoire.

Monerri formed a local blues-rock cover band in 1968 and abandoned first-year law studies in 1969 to pursue music fulltime. He played in the Lyon groups After Life, Beast, and Chico Magnetic Band. In the spring of 1975, Monerri and Pina recruited bassist Jean-Jacques Martin for their new venture.

Drummer Michel Torelli joined after stints with a circus ensemble and the Gilles Pelegrini dance orchestra. He knew Monerri from an earlier engagement at the Colline club. Pina introduced a Mellotron while Torelli recruited second keyboardist Michel Tardieu for the expanded arrangements. They moved rehearsals from beneath a Lyon music shop to a château outside the city and adopted the name Terpandre after the ancient Greek poet and lyre player.

Terpandre played Lyon concerts in 1976 with sound engineer François Isnard of Pulsar. The following year, they opened several shows for Catherine Ribeiro. Pina sought a violinist for the instrumental arrangements, prompting the group to advertise for an additional musician. They recruited Patrick Tilleman, who played on the 1977 Gratte-Ciel album Cocktail by Patrick Forgas.

Bassist Paul Fargier took the earlier position of Martin for the album sessions. Pulsar recommended Aquarius Studios in Geneva, where Terpandre booked two weeks in June 1978 with producer Serge Mosoni and engineer Jean Ristori.

Discography:

• Terpandre (1981)

References and notes

• Terpandre — Cesar Lanzarini, Rovi/Apple Music. Formation, Monerri–Pina partnership, early lineup, rehearsal locations, concerts, and Aquarius booking. (Artist biography)
• Rock Made in France — Chico Magnetic Band. Monerri affiliations with After Life, Fancy, Beast, Chico Magnetic Band, and Terpandre. (Historical profile)
• France Heavy Rock — March 2009. Lyon rock history documenting Monerri with After Life, Beast, Chico Magnetic Band, and Terpandre. (Band histories)
• Dag Erik Asbjørnsen — Scented Gardens of the Mind. Independent confirmation of the Monerri–Chico Magnetic Band connection and the original Terpandre LP. (Book excerpt)
• Cuneiform Records — Patrick Forgas, Cocktail. Original 1977 recording dates and Patrick Tilleman violin credits. (Label discography)
• Bibliothèque nationale de France — Terpandre. Confirms the June 1978 Aquarius session in Geneva and the 1989 Musea LP edition. (Catalogue record)
• Musicbase — Terpandre. Original Dionysos DI 3003 LP, personnel, instruments, and engineering credits. (Release credits)
• MusicBrainz — Pulsar, Halloween. Documents the earlier 1977 Aquarius sessions and engineer Jean Ristori. (Release documentation)
• Musea Records — Spheroe, Primadonna. Dates the Spheroe sessions at Aquarius to July 1978; relevant to the conflicting studio recommendation. (Label notes)