This anthology compiled by Jean-Baptiste Mersiol re-examines the musical heritage of the Alsace region. The first CD deals with traditional brass bands and the marches, polkas and traditional music for which Alsace is famous; the second CD is devoted to the musical heritage of today, which is very much alive and contributes to enlarging the modern repertoire. From the post war lyricists gathered around the famous Strasbourg cabaret Barabli (owned by Germain Muller and Mario Hirlé) to today’s singers, this music has been invaluable in helping to create and maintain the language, its special feeling for words, its humour and its poetry. This set highlights the famous Alsace identity: like that of its Belgian cousin, it was built on the constant questioning of its roots and future. Patrick Frémeaux