French music has a distinct identity today. However, it wasn’t always so. French music has made its presence felt since the 10th century, but over the centuries, it has been influenced by the music of other places like Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
French musicians have imbibed traits of these music types to create a unique identity. To better understand the music culture in France today, it is essential to understand the history of French music.
History of French Music French music during the 10th century was limited to instrumental music, often depicted in the form of court songs. However, French poets and composers soon gave it a distinct form that spanned various music forms like opera, classical, and even pop and rock in the 20th century. French folk music is widely attributed as the oldest form of music native to the country. Certain distinct tones are visible in French music depending on which part of France you are in. For example, Southern French music closely mimics Spanish or Italian music. On the eastern side, folk music resembles German or Swiss music. The point is traditional French music is widely inspired by its neighbors.
In the 17th century, French opera was well received by the general public for the first time, and by the 19th century, France had many classic operas like Carmen, The Tales of Hoffman, and many more. In the 19th century, French authors started experimenting with the Romantic genre, and the influence of this genre was witnessed in French literature, poetry, and music. The modern form of French music first appeared in the 20th century.
Present day Music Culture in France
From 1800 to the 1930s, dance hall singers made French music popular and invented chanson as a genre. Some classics of this genre include Georges Brassens and Johnny Hallyday. In the 20th century, French composers started borrowing from North Africa and American hip-hop. The present form of French music was first witnessed in the 1900s. French rap amalgamated with American hip-hop, giving rise to a very distinct form of French music that is still considered unique worldwide. The French still love their traditional music, but in the present day, music genres like pop music have stolen the limelight from traditional music genres. Artists who are popular among the international audience have also made a mark among French audiences. Such artists include Madeon, Justice, and Daft Punk.
French music is a confluence of various genres, with all such genres having at least a sizeable French audience. In a way, the French music culture can be considered versatile and multi-faceted due to its long history.
