Classical Music Around The World: France, Part Two
/This week we continue to discover French classical music through the ages. Be sure to check out part one of my post on France. Today, we pick back up in the late 1800s.
The Romantic Period
After the French Revolution, French music experienced a renewal and creativity flourished. There are several composers to list here, but Hector Berlioz and George Bizet are some of the most well known. In the playlist, I’ve included Berlioz’ Roman Carnival Overture and Bizet’s Carman Fantasy. The Carman Fantasy is a work for violin and orchestra that highlights themes from the opera Carmen. (This piece is written by Pablo de Sarasate, a Spanish composer and violinist, but the themes are all Bizet’s)
This week we continue to discover French classical music through the ages. Be sure to check out part one of my post on France. Today, we pick back up in the late 1800s.
Impressionism
Music always reflects its culture and often reflects other trends in artistic endeavors. In France, several painters began to create a style of art we now call impressionist. The goal was to focus on atmosphere and texture to extract certain feelings instead of painting a scene that looks identical to reality. A couple of composers followed this trend and composed music that emphasizes mood and atmosphere. The first composer was Claude Debussy. I’ve included his famous piano work Clair De Lune in the playlist. Note how the piano creates an atmosphere with sound and often avoids melodies.
A second French impressionist is Maurice Ravel. He used similar techniques and created music focused on atmosphere and texture. I’ve included a part of his Mother Goose Suite, Beauty and the Beast. In the same work, he includes a movement for the Sleeping Beauty story. It is interesting to hear how people imagined these stories before they were so wonderfully retold by Walt Disney.
The Modern Period
Finally, the 20th century brought more turmoil to France through the destruction caused by World War I and World War II. Nevertheless, a couple of composers still managed to influence classical music. First, I highlight Darius Milhaud (1892 - 1974), who sought to redefine music by criticizing the excessive emotions of the Romantic composers. Many of his works are for small ensembles, and he uses different combinations of instruments to create unique tone colors. For example, listen in the playlist to his Sonata for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano. These four instruments combine creating a distinct tone that became popular in the 1900s.
Lastly, another important French composer from the 1900s was Francis Poulenc. He has many famous works, large and small, but I am choosing to highlight his popular Sonata for Clarinet and Piano. Be sure to listen to this fun work in the playlist.
Also, let me know in the comments what you think of this music and how you are using it to help your kids (and yourself) explore classical music and the world.