French composers are well-known for fusing different musical styles. Debussy was known to use melodies from popular operas in his work.
Modern French artists are equally innovative, from jazz to pop. Stromae, one of today’s most acclaimed musicians, stands out as an acclaimed musician by singing realist subjects over dance beats with poetic lyrics similar to those written by Jacques Brel.
Classical
France has long been known for its rich musical tradition and classical music is no different. From Gregorian chants to the court music of Renaissance France, French composers have always found inspiration from historical events for their compositions.
In the 19th century, composers such as Camille Saint-Saens and Claude Debussy developed techniques using musical elements to convey emotion. Debussy’s dreamlike compositions have inspired artists from around the globe to incorporate his technique into their own works.
France saw remarkable musical advances during the 20th century with the creation of musique concrete and electronic music, pioneered by Boulez, Messiaen and Gerard Grisey’s works such as musique concrete and electronic music. Their music explored new sonic territories with technological assistance while creating styles like spectral music that used microtonal scales and innovative orchestration practices that are only now beginning to be fully appreciated around the globe.
Chant
Over the centuries, the chant has played an essential role in shaping French music. A monophonic secular song featuring lyrics inspired by poetry and courtly love, this form was introduced as an adaptation to Old French of Occitan canso; its popularity peaked between 12th-13th centuries.
Later composers like Guillaume de Machaut and Johannes Ockeghem wrote grand chants (chants with refrains) inspired by Italian madrigals. A simpler style of chanted vocal music emerged during the 16th century thanks to salon melodies and Parisian chansons that were lighter and more homophonic than their predecessors.
Edith Piaf and Serge Gainsbourg became renowned singer-songwriters of the 20th century for their chansons, with their emphasis on lyrics rather than melody. One offshoot of this genre was chanson realiste which reflected literary realism and naturalist movements; often performed by women performers while dealing with issues facing working-class Parisians.
Jazz
Jazz has had a complex relationship with France ever since the first African American soldiers set foot on French soil after World War One. Since its arrival, its influence was marked by moments of significant cultural transformation: from negritude and its demand for more authentic forms of “primitive” black culture; through changing statuses for women to devastating consequences of World War I and challenges to notions of French identity and cultural superiority.
Ventura and Gregor, two French bands at that time, viewed jazz as an alien music that threatened their jobs as musicians. Therefore, in order to appease more conservative audiences they distanced their sound from Whiteman and Hylton’s wilder solos by altering their sound accordingly.
As the interwar years came to a close, young French musicians and audiences began discovering “hot” jazz–characterized by its lively improvisation–and it quickly gained popularity with audiences throughout France. Over time, however, jazz evolved and diversified, drawing elements from other musical genres while maintaining its distinct identity.
Pop
France is well known for many things (revolutions, bureaucracy and topless sunbathing), but pop music may not be among them. While France produced Daft Punk and Air, but their talent often goes overlooked by non-Francophone audiences. But that hasn’t stopped contemporary French artists from creating chart-topping hits with global appeal such as Christine and the Queens’ Tilted or Stromae’s Papaoutai becoming viral sensations – both examples being Christine and the Queens Tilted being global hits while Stromae’s Papaoutai has gone viral worldwide.
French pop music adds flair and romance to traditional chanson, while at the same time addressing social issues with intelligence and compassion. Michel Berger and France Gall are two artists utilizing French pop music to advocate for gender equality, environmental awareness, and social justice through their songs.
More recently, young French rock musicians have added new dimensions to the genre. Tal’s blend of R&B with mainstream pop has given her a distinct voice within France with her songs about courage, brotherhood and hope that have quickly become iconic tunes.