France, known for its lavender fields, jaw-dropping architecture and fine wines is not complete without its distinct traditional music – from religious pieces to joyful dance music and everything in between – that contributes to its charm and history.
Romantic composers such as Georges Bizet, Charles Gounod and Hector Berlioz emerged during this era; during baroque periods more famous composers emerged including Jean-Baptiste Lully, Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Francios Couperin.
Central France
Jean Blanchard and Eric Montbel, French bagpipe musicians known for their skill as cornemusers (musette/cornemuse players), present this album featuring their adaptations of traditional music from Berry, Bourbonnais, and Basse-Auvergne regions of central France. Many of the 214 tunes found within can also be played on melodeon and fiddle, but most will fit comfortably within the range of hurdy-gurdy which has an unbroken tradition throughout central France.
Marais Breton of Vendee is famous for its tradition of playing the veuze (finger bagpipes) and folk dances such as courante and bal saintongeais, circle or chain-dances accompanied by caller-and-response singing. Additionally, this area also possesses an exceptional choral tradition with particular focus placed on two types of dance/tune combinations known as saut and branle.
Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon is one of France’s most diverse regions, featuring sun and sea as well as ancient fortified cities like Carcassonne and Montpellier with rich histories of troubadour music influenced by Irish punk such as Bruno Caliciuri’s professional name Cali. Cali is an important player in this scene.
Roussillon is famous for its striking ochre cliffs, as was meticulously documented by Laurence Wylie in her 1957 cultural study of French country life (Village in the Vaucluse). Additionally, Roussillon boasts an artistic atmosphere and numerous artist ateliers can be found here.
Visit one of the remaining ochre factories today or take part in tours and lectures offered at Conservatoire des Ocres et Pigments Appliques on pigment history. There are also eateries throughout the streets offering French and Mediterranean dishes.
Auvergne
Auvergne’s music is predominantly folk-based and features traditional songs with romantic or melancholic undertones. Additionally, there is an active jazz scene in Auvergne.
Joseph Canteloube, who hails from Auvergne, is widely celebrated for his Chants d’Auvergne (Songs of Auvergne). These pieces weren’t simply settings of popular folksongs but rather unique compositions by him.
Auvergne tradition is best-known for its goatskin musette bagpipes, known as musette bagpipes. Blown by elbow-driven bellows, these instruments do not feature drones but rather are played without drones for sound production. Other common bagpipe styles of Auvergne are the cabrette grande cornemuse or other. Due to revival movements during the 1950s and 60s these musical traditions found new audiences. Many regional groups still carry on these traditions today!
Basque Country
Basque culture often comes to mind as one of Europes lesser-known, which is unfortunate since it boasts an ancient heritage characterized by song and music that forms its unique identity.
Middle Age Basque culture was profoundly transformed by Gregorian chant, at first reluctant to embrace its presence but eventually accepting this form.
Choral ensembles were widespread throughout the region, such as Oldarra in Biarritz and Coral Andra Mari in Donostia. Additionally, several amateur groups such as Bayonne’s Siro and Donostia’s Olatz Salvador play traditional repertoire.
Basque musicians take great pride in their heritage, which many have combined with outside influences such as jazz or Cuban music while maintaining its signature bare vocal style.
Southern France
Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur boasts an abundant musical tradition, from folk and classical pieces to contemporary genres. Sega music, which fuses European and African influences, has become particularly beloved here.
The gwerz, a large drum, is one of the primary instruments in Algerian music, serving to establish rhythm. Additionally, popular choices include the djembe (made of goat skin) and Algerian and Moroccan rai styles as well as Moroccan gnawa music styles.
In the 20th century, Lili Boulanger, Nadia Boulanger and Albert Roussel gained recognition. Composers like Henri Dutilleux and Olivier Messiaen also contributed significantly to serialism’s development; while Gabriel Yacoub gave French music an unconventional spin by mixing traditional styles with rock music and contemporary sounds.