Tendre Est La Nuit - obscur Majda Bekkali 2013

... intended for a small yet truly great man who had to leave the stage of his eventful life at the age of 94 on Monday: Charles Aznavour!
Just recently returned from a grand tour, full of plans and still very lively: this is how we will remember him!
His chansons will continue to accompany us: whether "Du lässt Dich geh'n," with which he tried to awaken many sluggish women in the early sixties and remind them that each of them is beautiful and lovable, or the duet with his daughter Katia, who accompanied this elegant gentleman on stage in recent times: "Je Voyage."
This chanson is about what it is like to sit silver-haired on a bench, reflecting on thoughts, letting perhaps the last spring pass by, and traveling back in time "without luggage, with the help of images, dreams, and thoughts." (FAZ, Feuilleton - October 2, 2018)

"Tendre est la Nuit" - this could very well be the title of a chanson; sung by Charles Aznavour, I can easily imagine this "Tender is the Night."
So here I attempt to dedicate an appropriate fragrance commentary to this man, whose voice accompanied my life for a long time.
Is that presumptuous? Perhaps! But it is certainly worth a try!

A scent, like a night full of tenderness!
Even in the top note, a certain boldness is revealed:
Immortelles - the straw flowers with their own slightly dusty scent, which can easily withstand long phases of dryness (even in these bound folklore bouquets), open this performance.
Always a bit peculiar, they meet carrot and ambrette seeds here: musk mallow and carrots - someone is daring something! But everything fits together.
This unique composition is interestingly combined with the oil of the balsam tree (Cabreuva).
An overture that impresses me, but also slightly unsettles: where will this night lead me? Will I lose myself in it?
It is still a bit cool and brittle; but that will soon change.
Pepper - fiery pepper of different nuances and spicy benzoin resin bring the first flames to this fragrance: it begins to radiate a warmth that one can surrender to without hesitation.
Artemisia adds a surprising herbal spiciness (for a moment I am reminded of a tea infusion).
"Tendre est la Nuit" is still warm and tender, inviting for cuddling and only gently touching the senses.
It reminds one of the familiar closeness of a lover!
Leather and castoreum awaken sensuality: this night suddenly pulses with restrained eroticism.
Hot and cold shivers alternate, the skin turns rosy - the eyes shine: the readiness for surrender grows!
Oakmoss brings a green-spicy depth, grounding for a moment the flickering passion and paving the way for three of the great fragrance notes of the perfume world: curtain up!
Golden floating patchouli, slightly scratchy, powerful labdanum, and incense: thus "Tendre est la Nuit" strides towards its most beautiful completion!
The dream of a tenderness that connects heaven and earth - from the velvety sunset to the glowing appearance of dawn!
Its longevity endures throughout the night: from the coolness of the evening's onset, through the deep velvety blackness of the night - full of heat and desire - to the light that reflects the dawn and the quietly awakening life.
Thus I feel the scent progression of this nocturnal tenderness.

Unfortunately, I cannot write chansons; not even a silly pop song.
But "Tendre est la Nuit" has become a love song in fragrance form that this unique chansonnier Charles Aznavour might have been able to capture in notes and words!
So, as a farewell, once again standing ovations and a soft "Adieu!" - he remains unforgettable!