France has always been noted for its passion and elegance when it comes to music. Composers and playwrights shared an eagerness to convey true emotions with refinement while eschewing unnecessary drama or contrast.
Modern French music continues to flourish from accordion chords of the valse musette to popular singer-songwriter Francoise Hardy – providing catchy melodies and emotive lyrics that attract audiences worldwide.
Claude Debussy
Debussy was one of the pioneers to introduce novel sounds into music, becoming one of the early Impressionist composers (though he would vigorously deny the term). He had an enormous impact on later musicians such as Boulez and Ellington – both serious composers in their own ways.
He experimented with unconventional melodies and expanded how orchestras were utilized, having a lasting influence on modern classical music; his works are still performed today.
His piano pieces reflect his ability to create atmosphere through long chromatic passages and odd rhythms, as well as his preference for natural harmonic series – the set of overtones produced when you vibrate a string – which forms the basis of western harmony. Listen closely as his Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un Faune creates space.
Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel was born in Ciboure, a French Basque region bordering on Spain, at age seven. After beginning piano lessons a year later he began writing his own compositions five years later.
He was considered an Impressionist alongside Debussy, yet did not completely break away from traditional forms and structures; instead using them as frameworks to showcase new melodic and rhythmic content and groundbreaking harmonies.
Ravel was widely known for his musical explorations of other cultures and nations. Some of his works, such as Rhapsodie espagnole and Alborada del Gracioso, showcase significant Spanish musical features.
Ravel’s most iconic work is Bolero. Its relentless forward movement mesmerizes audiences. A blend of decadent jazz, Hispanic sensuality, and mechanised military force characterises it beautifully.
Jacques Offenbach
Offenbach was born Jacob Eberst in Cologne and adopted the name Jacques at 14, when taken to France to attend the Paris Conservatoire. However, academic study was unsatisfying for him, so instead left to make a living as a cellist earning international renown and working at exclusive Paris salons where his reputation for writing amusing, melodious, often comedic music was cemented.
Offenbach was one of the pioneers of operetta – light opera with dialogue. He used this same adept touch in more serious works such as Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann), still an integral part of standard opera repertoire today and featuring many memorable melodies by Offenbach himself.
The Beatles
Though globally famous, The Beatles remain relatively unknown in France. Popular musical genres in France include rap and pop/indie. GIMs, Orelsan and Stromae are some popular French rappers who can be found there.
“Hey Bulldog” is an irreverent piece of psychedelic absurdity, perfecting the collaboration among band members. Lennon’s off-kilter vocals fit right in with Macca’s soothing Mellotron intro and Ringo’s energetic drumming, creating an irresistibly catchy track.
The Fab Four attempted contemporary folk in this heartbreaking ode to unrequited love, the source of which remains uncertain. Producer George Martin’s classical expertise shines through, as violins accompany McCartney’s soft voiced tales of loneliness. An absolute masterpiece originally recorded for Sgt Pepper but released as a double A-side single instead.
The Singing Nun
Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers (more commonly known as Belgian nun and singer Dominique) was born in 1933. After working as a teacher of drawing for several years, she felt called by God and entered a Dominican convent; playing guitar so well that her superiors arranged for her to record a song with a record company was one of Dominique’s talents that earned her this opportunity.
This song became a top seller throughout Europe and worldwide, so much so that it even made its way onto American TV show The Ed Sullivan Show!
Marketing executives chose Soeur Sourire as her stage name; however, she would have preferred Bear cub. Soon she records a hit song about Saint Dominique de Guzman (c. 1200). His chorus remains memorable!