What French composer do you think should be given the Best French Composer award? Maybe you’ve never given that a lot of thought or maybe you simply have no idea who a French composer might be!! Well, you’ve come to the right place. We are going to examine a few of what I consider some of the best French composers who ever lived! Granted the list is quite long, and just like really good art, beautiful music is in the ear of the beholder!
If you have ever seen Masterpiece Theater on PBS television then you have heard the music of a known French composer Jean-Joseph Mouret. The well known tune from Masterpiece Theater is known as “Fanfare-Rondeau from his first Suite de symphonies“. How amazing is it that this piece of music was composed over 250 years ago, yet is still very well known! Mouret composed mainly dramatic works for the stage. He was a top contributor to Baroque music.
Moving into the Romantic era, let’s look at French composer Gabriel Faure. Known for his influence over 20th century composers, Faure didn’t start out with such aspirations. He studied at a music college in Paris and later became the organist for E`glise de la Madeleine and the head of the Paris Conservatoire. He was so busy giving piano lessons early on that he really didn’t have time to focus composing. He spent four decades being an organist in some capacity, but he preferred the piano. Interestingly, after having spent so much time playing the organ he had no composition for it. When Faure became the head of the Paris Conservatoire in 1905 he was then able to focus more on composition. Some favorite pieces of his are “Requiem” and “Pavane”.
Finally, the last French composer I wish to focus on is Claude Debussy. His music is known to transition from the Romantic era into the Contemporary. Debussy’s music was reflective of the times he lived in. The popular art at the time was impressionistic and that is what Debussy’s musical style was sometimes referred to. His music was quite innovative and experimental. He once said “I love music passionately. And because I love it I try to free it from barren traditions that stifle it.” Some well known pieces include “Clair de Lune”, “La Mer”, and “Prelude a` L’apre`s-midi d’un faune”.
There are many more French composers to listen to and read about. I hope you will take some time to look up these and other French composers at the links found below. You can find free easy versions of French composer’s music and other free printable sheet music at the links found below as well.
Easy Piano
Can-Can (The Galop) for piano solo
Intermediate Piano
Prelude from Carmen for piano solo
Clair de Lune for piano solo
Funeral March or a Marionette for piano solo
Advanced Piano
Clair de Lune for advanced piano solo
Fun Facts About Debussy
“Claude Debussy’s parents had many talents and many jobs. When Debussy was born, his father was running a china shop and working as a traveling salesman and a printer’s assistant. His mother also helped out in the china shop and worked as a seamstress.”…read more onDSOKIDS
Happy Practicing : )