Can anyone recommend and music that is iconic and typical to Italy and France. I got some tapes from the library (Putumayo Paris cafe and Italy) but there was vocals and most seemed to be jazzy type music with singing in Italian or French. This is not what I want. On Rick Steve's videos there is always awesome music to accompany ... Very indicative to the region. That is what I am looking for. Thanks ...
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10513 posts
So for example, are you looking for regional folk songs, but only the tune, not the words? Most of those could be in the local language or in French. Are you looking for Resistance/Partisan songs, but without the words? Piaf, Becaud, Ferrat, Nugaro, Claude Francois--all popular singers. Or do you want medieval: de Machaut, de Bingen ( ok, she lived along the Rhine). Maybe Satie--it's all iconic. We like the Putumayo Paris Cafe, so could you describe a little more what you mean by iconic.
Steve from White Plains is a professional musician. Maybe he can help.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
44 posts
hi, thanks for many suggestions for different options. I thought i didnt like ones with words until i just listened to some on ITUNES. I purchased Charles Trenet.. Douche France. Also an instrumental i purchased was Torna a Surriento..Album called Music of Italy. So I guess I like combo of styles as long as very authentic and maybe folk like. Having been to Italy 5 times and France 2, I just love to travel back in time with music.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4160 posts
The obvious choice for French music would be what Bets describes ( nouvelle chanson ) . I am a trained classical musician , but I have broad and varied tastes , Growing up in the fifties , My parents always listened to the French songs , Here are two of my favorite performers with two of my favorite songs https://youtu.be/lOZPWpiNUWQ , https://youtu.be/lOZPWpiNUWQ . The French classical composers - Gabriel Faure " Dolly Suite " https://youtu.be/WY05HLxbk0M , Claude Debussy " Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun " https://youtu.be/kR5OWN_ydIY , Maurice Ravel " Introduction and Allegro " https://youtu.be/5s6suaIQVzI Paul Dukas " The Sorcerer's Apprentice " https://youtu.be/jAwbXwKHsC0 For Italian music , have a look at the overtures to Rossini's operas - " Barber of Seville " , " I Vespri Siciliani " , " La Scala di Seta " . This composition by a twentieth century Italian composer - Ottorino Resphigi is particulary beautiful " A Botticelli Triptych " , a musical interpretation of the three famous paintings that hang in the Uffizi https://youtu.be/WnYxFqK5wXE See how these compositions suit you for a start . Two more --- Joseph Cantaloube " Songs of the Auvergne " , You will feel the warm French summer sun on the back of your neck https://youtu.be/YixuZcxSci8 . Lastly , for now , Felix Mendelssohn " Symphony #4 , The Italian " - he wasn't Italian , but you would never know that from the music https://youtu.be/xdFFq8VkjIg
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10513 posts
Great. Glad you found something you like. Here's one that is very French and hardly known in the States: Yvette Horner and her accordion. Steve and I have marveled at her in the past. You can find some clips of her performing on line.
Posted by
Edmonton, Alberta
797 posts
For France, Edith Piaf. There are other folk type of singers that I cannot recall their names, sorry. Try google for folk singer France or Italy; below is an example of what I found; in that link, you can have a listen to a bit of the songs too.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4160 posts
Yvette Horner , Almost forgot her ! listen here - https://youtu.be/3frNNbO_hPU
Posted by
OP
Seattle
44 posts
Thanks for replies. I can't wait to check out all your suggestions and broaden my options. I know I will surely enjoy hearing new artists and styles.