The History of Music in France
France has been producing music since the 8th century, with hymns and songs written for religious purposes. However, French music started to become iconic starting with the operas written in the 17th century. Classic operas, including Carmen by Georges Bizet, are still iconic in modern times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8y1dj7bvjE&safe=active
Classical music debuted in the 19th century during the Romantic Era. Artists such as Debussy and Ravel are iconic to the time period. During the 20th century, music became more modern, utilizing "spectral music."
Folk music has been developing over several centuries. Different regions in France have different forms of folk music. For example, in Brittany, folk music has a distinctive Celtic twang. Additionally, the most popular form of a folk instrument known as the hurdy gurdy -- essentially, a mechanical violin -- comes from France.
Classic French lullabies include Au Clair de la Lune (By the Light of the Moon), Ah les Crocrocro (Go crocodiles), and Alouette, Gentille Aloutette (Lark, Sweet Lark). These are taught at a young age and nearly everyone knows these songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYLTc3tGdzc&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YI08sRToU0&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_hFw_cWg9U&safe=active
The Classic French singers were around during the 20th century. They sang mainly in French, but some of them sang in English as well. Iconic French singers include Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, and Yves Montand. Many French songs are common in pop culture today, but their origin is not known.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O47Hjs18mmM&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zFc7nIJnvo&safe=active
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9zdAR1rpy0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9V-zUlrhEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDkk0n8M13g
In today's society, American music is very popular. They are predominantly played on the radio, but all radio stations must guarantee that 40% of the music played is in French. Some French singers and artists that have become very popular in America are David Guetta, Celine Dion, and Avril Lavigne.
Classical music debuted in the 19th century during the Romantic Era. Artists such as Debussy and Ravel are iconic to the time period. During the 20th century, music became more modern, utilizing "spectral music."
Folk music has been developing over several centuries. Different regions in France have different forms of folk music. For example, in Brittany, folk music has a distinctive Celtic twang. Additionally, the most popular form of a folk instrument known as the hurdy gurdy -- essentially, a mechanical violin -- comes from France.
Classic French lullabies include Au Clair de la Lune (By the Light of the Moon), Ah les Crocrocro (Go crocodiles), and Alouette, Gentille Aloutette (Lark, Sweet Lark). These are taught at a young age and nearly everyone knows these songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYLTc3tGdzc&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YI08sRToU0&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_hFw_cWg9U&safe=active
The Classic French singers were around during the 20th century. They sang mainly in French, but some of them sang in English as well. Iconic French singers include Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, and Yves Montand. Many French songs are common in pop culture today, but their origin is not known.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O47Hjs18mmM&safe=active
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zFc7nIJnvo&safe=active
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9zdAR1rpy0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9V-zUlrhEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDkk0n8M13g
In today's society, American music is very popular. They are predominantly played on the radio, but all radio stations must guarantee that 40% of the music played is in French. Some French singers and artists that have become very popular in America are David Guetta, Celine Dion, and Avril Lavigne.