traditional music in France

Subject: traditional music in France
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 14 Sep 03 - 08:57 PM

Our big trip to France is imminent (however you spell that). We leave in four days for Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Gap and Chamonix.

What do I do, whom do I ask in order to hear about any traditional music going on?   Early music and chamber music are good too.

I already know about Tosca and Salome at the opera. Unfortunately, my tiara is at the cleaners, so I won't be going.

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Amos
Date: 14 Sep 03 - 10:14 PM

Ask for "folklorique" events. They're popular ( or were last time I knew anything about it which was years ago.)

A

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Nerd
Date: 15 Sep 03 - 12:56 AM

There is a magazine called trad at

http://www.tradmagazine.com

Each issue has a calendar of over 1000 folk dates all over France. I don't think the calendar is available online, but you may be able to email them and find out where the magazine is sold in the first town you visit.

The most active Traditional Music associations are in Brittany, (La Boueze and Dastum in Rennes) but the AMTA (Agence de Musique Traditionnelle d'Auvergne) in Riom or Vie et Tradition en Normandie in Avignon may have information on other parts of the country. I don't have phone numbers, I'm afraid!

There is also a folk arts museum which you should visit in Paris:

Musee National des Arts et Traditions Populaires
6, av. du Mahatma Gandhi, 75116 Paris
44 17 60 00
44 17 60 60

(The Les Sablons metro station.)

They have a sound archive, and someone there may have information about where you can hear traditional music while in Paris. Certainly they can point you to the regional research centers in the areas you'll be visiting, who in turn will know about any events during your stay.

Keep in mind, in addition to "folklorique," the French use the terms "Musique Traditionelle" and, more generally, "Arts et Traditions Populaires." Ask concierges, tourist information people, etc., about these areas.

best of luck!

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Nerd
Date: 15 Sep 03 - 01:10 AM

Since my last visit to Paris the following has also opened:

Cite de la Musique
221, av. Jean-Jaurès , 75019 Paris
44 84 45 45
Metro: Porte de Pantin

This Music venue/centre includes a musee de la musique. Sounds neat! Let us know how it was when you get back!

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 15 Sep 03 - 09:05 AM

Merci beaucoup! I will print these suggestions out and keep coming back for more until Thursday.

Wa-hoo!

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 15 Sep 03 - 12:16 PM

when in Paris go to chatelet metro station. Cross over the point neuf bridge past notre dame over to the south bank of the river which is to the right of Paris Saint-germain des pres. There are thousands of restraunts around that area and the gypsies all work that part. I went with my lady this time last month. We saw Bal Musette, Chanson singers, Spanish gypsies ( Who all seem to take off the gypsy kings these days) and my favourite the gypsy jazz players. We found a reaaly good morrocan restraunt up in that part. Good hunting, it is well worth the walk in the evening.

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 09:47 AM

What do you mean, "Spanish gypsies ( Who all seem to take off the gypsy kings these days)" Maybe it was the other way around - the Gypsy Kings got their style from them.

Speaking of gypsies, if you ever go to Prague, see if the trio is still playing in the restaurant of the Ambassador hotel. When we visited, there were a fiddler, a cymbolon (gigantic dulcimer) and a string bass player. Wonderful music! However, you have to tell them you are interesed in traditional music, because the management wants old Frank Sinatra and Cole Porter tunes.

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 01:32 PM

Exactly as i said. They know people like the comercial sound of the gypsy kings therefore they copy it and therfore they get paid. The area of paris is triangulated with st micheal at the top, st severin slap bang in the centre of the area and cluny La sorbonne at the bottom. If you look at a good map of paris then just out os St Michael stationis la Huchette and a tiny street called Harpe ( I think that was where the MOrrocan was!). The nearest bridge is actually Boulavard Du Pont Or Palais Au Change which runs from Chatelet straight across the island to the correct area of Paris. Do take a good walk around the whole lot It is a cultural hotpot of musicians and restaurants.
Good luck (I am jealous you are going I have no leave left.)
    Pete.

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Sep 03 - 02:30 PM

Here are some more websites to try, plus some discussion lists...

Websites:
http://www.ethnotempos.org
www.mondomix.org/
http://www.musicorsica.net/
http://www.musictrad.org/
Musique en Dordogne : le site de la musique et des musiciens de Dordogne : infos, petites-annonces, concerts, liens...
http://www.chez.com/musedor/

Discussion groups:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Bon voyage!
Jenny
www.pwmnfrance.com

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 09:49 AM

Thanks again for the additional information. Tomorrow is the big day. We depart, hurricane or no hurricane.

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: CraigS
Date: 17 Sep 03 - 04:24 PM

Just to point out that the French for folk music really is LE FOLKMUSIC and, similarly, LE FOLKLORE - they do borrow words from the neighbours (as you'll find out when you leave your car in le parking)!

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 03:32 AM

The Flying Chaucers are playing at Cite de la Musique in Paris on Oct 4th - bit late for you I guess. There's an Irish Festival on there over the weekend featuring Sharon Shannon, Altan, Lunasa, Lonnie Donnegan, The kane sisters and THE FLYING CHAUCERS - this is where I get to try out my calling skills in French - enuf said!

Sarah

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Sep 03 - 05:57 AM

Re "they do borrow words from the neighbours (as you'll find out when you leave your car in le parking)!"

Veritably, all populations do.

Thanks to the Guest who listed all those web sites. I asked my Dear Husband to look them over, and he's very excited about the results from one of them. Later this morning I will find out which one.

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 19 Sep 03 - 01:38 PM

Sarh the flute - How can Lonnie Donnigan be playing a gig? Is that the same principle as that Mexican festival where they dig up their dead and bring them out?

Subject: RE: traditional music in France
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 09:00 PM

Malicorne