The word “chanson” is translated from French as “song”. Today, this term is called the vocal genre. But in the Renaissance in France, the so-called secular polyphonic song. This continued until the end of the 19th century. In the 80s, pop songs performed in a cabaret were also called "chanson". They were small life stories that were told to music. The heyday of this musical genre came in the 50s of the last century. It was then that in France and other French-speaking countries , many talented chanson singers entered the music arena. The list of these artists in gold letters is inscribed in the history of French music.
Early chanson
In the Middle Ages before the advent of chanson - polyphonic secular songs - there were truvers - one-voice vocal works. The founder of this genre was a 14th-century composer Guy de Masho. Following him, his colleagues from Burgundy G. Dufay and J. Benshua created three-voice songs. From the 16th century, the “Paris School of Chanson" emerged, headed by C. de Sermisi, P. Serton and others. Later, this style spread throughout Europe.
Modern chanson
The period of modern chanson begins from the end of the 19th century. The first singers of this genre were Astrid Bruant, Mistingett and others. They performed in a cabaret. Later, in the early years of the 20th century, a modified chanson - a “realistic song” (chanson réaliste) - rose to the professional stage. The names of the performers of compositions in this genre are included in the first list of chanson singers: Edith Piaf, Ferel, Damia, etc. A little later, in the middle of the same century, 2 main directions of the modern French-language song formed: classical chanson and pop song.
The genre of classic chanson
A prerequisite for songs of this genre is a poetic component. As a rule, the author and performer of these vocal works is one and the same person. The list of chanson singers of this period is also led by the inimitable Edith Piaf. Other performing artists in this genre were M. Chevalier, S. Trenet, J. Brassens and others. Famous French singers S. Adamo and S. Aznavour, despite the fact that their work is closer to pop music, are also included in the list of chanson singers.
The performers of this poetic and musical genre of that time began to be called "chansonnier." Most important for them were the lyrics, their content and meaning. The singers of the new chanson used elements of various genres in their performances: from rock to jazz.
In France, there have always been many pop singers who perform songs of their own composition. However, their works, due to the ease of maintenance, are not considered a chanson, so celebrities such as M. Mathieu, J. Dassin, Delilah, Lara Fabian and Patrissia Kaas are not included in the list of chanson singers of the 20th century. Perhaps outside of France they are considered a chansonnier, but on French soil there is a conditional border laid between these two genres: pop and chanson.
21st Century Chanson
With the advent of the new millennium, public interest in this musical direction has not faded. Popular chanson singers appeared. The list, which has been maintained for almost 100 years, has been replenished with new names: O. Ruiz, K. Clementi, C. Ann, and others.
Conclusion
French song is very different from other European music styles. She is more melodic, romantic, tender. She is eternal. Songs of Charles Aznavour listens to more than one generation of music lovers around the world. His compositions “Belle”, “God”, “Eternal Love” and others became immortal masterpieces of world art. Despite the fact that modern French music has lowered the bar in recent years, the hope does not fade that the lists of chanson singers will replenish with new names that will raise this genre to a new level.