A Brief History of French Folk Music

A look at the rich history of French folk music, from the early ballads of the trouveres to the modern chanson.

Origins

French folk music has its roots in the music of the Romanic peoples of Gaul (present-day France). This music was later heavily influenced by the music of the Franks, who were the dominant Germanic tribe in Gaul during the Early Middle Ages. The first French folk music to gain widespread popularity was the chanson, which was a type of song that was usually sung by troubadours.

Early history

Traditional French folk music is sometimes called la musique natruelle, meaning “the music of nature.” This type of music is based on the sounds of the natural world and the human voice. It dates back to the Middle Ages, when troubadours and trouveres (professional composer-poets) wrote and performed songs about chivalry and courtly love.

During the Renaissance, French folk music began to take on a more lighthearted, satirical tone. This style is exemplified by the work of Jean de Léry, who wrote a travelogue about his time in Brazil that included a number of humorous songs about the local people and customs.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, French folk music started to adopt some of the characteristics of Baroque and Classical music. This can be heard in the work of composers like Marc-Antoine Charpentier, whose pastoral opera La Guirlande was inspired by traditional peasant dances.

The 19th century saw a resurgence in interest in traditional French folk music, largely due to the efforts of collector-scholars like François-Joseph Fétis and Charles-Marie Widor. This period also saw the first significant commercial recordings of folk music, including several releases by influential Breton singer Marie du Vallon.

The early 20th century was a golden age for French folk music, with major figures like Joseph Canteloube, Charles Trenet, Georges Brassens, and Jacques Brel helping to popularize traditional songs and styles. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in la musique natruelle among young musicians, leading to a new wave of contemporary Folk performers like Les Hurlements d’Léo, Les Ramoneurs de Menhirs, Lo’Jo, and Baguette Quartette.

18th century

In the 18th century, French folk music was incredibly diverse, with regional differences in style and instrumentation. This variety began to disappear as the century progressed and the music of the Parisian bourgeoisie became more popular. Rural folk musicians were often looked down upon and forced to find work in the city. Nevertheless, they continued to play their music and preserve their traditions.

One of the most important figures in French folk music is Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote a number of songs and plays with folk themes. His work helped to popularize folk music among the urban population and pave the way for its eventual acceptance into mainstream culture.

During the French Revolution, folk music was used as a tool of propaganda to rally support for the cause. After the Revolution, many folk songs were banned by the government and replaced with patriotic anthems. It wasn’t until the 20th century that French folk music began to regain its former prominence.

Today, French folk music is once again enjoyed by people all over the world. It has been influenced by a variety of genres, including jazz, rock, and pop, but still retains its distinctively Gallic flavor.

19th century

During the 19th century, France went through great changes with the Industrial Revolution, and folk music began to change as well. Musicians became more mobile and performed for wider audiences, often at cafés and dance halls. They composed new songs that mixed together different styles of music, including ballads from Italy, Spain, and the Basque country, with traditional French dances like the farandole and the bourrée. Performers also began to use new instruments, like the accordion and the harmonica, which were easier to carry around than older instruments like the lute or hurdy-gurdy.

Notable Figures

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, French folk music underwent a resurgence, led by Georges Brassens, Pierre Bensusan, and Jacques Brel. These three artists brought the genre to popularity, with Brassens and Brel in particular achieving international fame.

20th century

Some of the most notable figures in 20th century French folk music are Jean Ritchie, who popularized the dulcimer in America; Mike Seeger, who did the same for the autoharp; Joan Baez, who introduced French audiences to American folk music; and Odetta, who was influential in both the American and British folk music scenes. Other important figures include Jean Redpath, Hamilton Camp, and Dick Gaughan.

21st century

21st century
In the early 21st century, French folk music was still performed, albeit mainly by semi-professional bands. Festivals devoted to the genre were also held in France, such as the Transmusicales de Rennes and the Les Vieilles Charrues festival in Carhaix-Plouguer. These festivals typically feature a mix of established folk acts and younger bands.

Popularity

French folk music has seen a dramatic resurgence in popularity in recent years. This is due in part to the efforts of a number of French musicians who have brought the music to a wider audience. Some of these musicians have been working to revive traditional French folk music, while others have been creating new folk music with a modern twist.

20th century

During the 20th century, French folk music was divided into two main currents: the musique traditionnelle (“traditional music”) of the rural countryside, and the musique régionale (“regional music”), which was associated with Brittany and Gascony in particular. The latter achieved some degree of international popularity thanks to performers such as the Breton musicians Joseph Canteloube and Alan Stivell, while some of the most famous exponents of traditional French folk music include Georges Brassens, Françoise Hardy, Jacques Brel and Léo Ferré.

21st century

21st century

The 21st century has seen a strong revival of French folk music, led by young performers such as Lou Dalfin, Patrick Vaillant, Yann-Fanch Kemener, Tony Robin, and Enav’.[citation needed] One of the most successful and internationally known contemporary French folk musicians is Eric Boudot-Lamotte.