French Music
Music in France has been present throughout the country’s history and there have been many eras during which the French were the most influential composers of their time, inspiring the development of music in other parts of Europe.
The national and international influence of French music started becoming popular in the Middle Ages, when religious chants and other types of spiritual music spreaded all over Europe. Later on, many great pieces of opera music were composed in France. In general, an astonishing mix of musical styles have emerged from France. Contemporary French music blends serialism, electronic music, and techniques picked up from oriental and non-western music in general.
Find out about some of France’s most important musical styles, periods and artists on the following pages:
