Roger Waters OST The Soldiers Tale

The Soldier’s Tale is a theatrical work “to be read, played, and
danced” by three actors (the soldier, the devil, and a narrator) and
dancers, accompanied by a septet of instruments. The libretto
relates the parable of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil
in return for unlimited economic gain. The music is scored for a
septet of violin, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, cornet or trumpet),
trombone, and percussion. The libretto is adapted by Roger Waters
from the translation by Michael Flanders and Kitty Black, based on
the original text by Charles-Ferdinand Ramus.
As the work opens, Joseph, a Russian soldier, marches toward his
hometown on leave, pack in tow. (“Marche du soldat”/”The Soldier’s
March”) He rests by a stream and rummages through his pack. First
he takes out his lucky St. Joseph medallion, then a mirror, then a
photograph of his girlfriend. Finally, he finds what he was searching
for: his fiddle. He begins to play. (“Petit airs au bord du ruisseau”/”Airs
by a Stream”) The devil appears disguised as an old man carrying a
butterfly net, but Joseph does not notice him and continues to play.
The devil sneaks up on Joseph from behind and startles him.
The Soldier’s Tale package includes 2 printed inner sleeves with
lyrics and pictures.