Many's the Fest Noz I attended in the Montagne Noir area of central Brittany when I visited there over 20 years ago. I played at Festao in Huelguat, Carhaix, Rostrenen, and other places.
I love the music, and especially the singing for dancers.
Alain Stivell and Dan ar Braz were very highly respected by Irish musicians and you will get the odd 'An Dro' in a session over here in Ireland.
Also had the privilege to play at the Festival Interceltique in Lorient - what an absolutley bloody mad and amazing festival. Over 3000 celts from Brittany, Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Galicia. 10 days of non stop music, song and dance.
Hi
I like to play some breton tunes from time to time, i have about a 2hour breton music repertoire. But the problem with breton music is that there are few good tunes: let’s say to be kind about 10 tunes in each kind of dance .
Breton tunes are very short: 4 bars!!! So it can be very boring when a group play those 4 bars over and over again. Irish music can be listened to, even if you don’t dance, breton music can’t with most of the groups. (Pennou skoulm was a good group, Dremwel could be tool ).
That's all fun !!
Paul Leray, Breton tunes haven't got only 4 bars. There is 300 type of dance in Brittany : 2/4 4/4 3/4 6/8 9/8 12/8. So: AnDro, Gavotte des Montagnes, Gavotte Dardoup, Dans Plinn, Dans Fisel, Avant Deux de Travers, Polka, Scottish....
So it's very different. But to play well music, you must to improve when you repeat the 4 bars of the 1st and the 2nd part, in the respect of the Dance.
Listen Ar Re Yaouank, Carre Manchot or Pevar Den. They are most popular in Brittany and play very well Breton Music.
If you want sheet music and scores( "partitions" in French), go on
Yes, I like Breton music. I was very much impressed by a Breton-Scottish band named Kornog. Saw them play at the Dranouter festival (Belgium) 2001.
It's been mentioned that the short motives in Breton tunes make them hardly worth listening to. I firmly disagree: I think the repetitive character has a hypnotizing effect that is very attractive.
As with all music much depends on the interpretative skills of the musician though.
I once got hold of a cassette-copy of a Breton band, whist I was living in Latvia. They had some fantastic tunes (a few of which I can remember) and ingenious arrangements, featuring a number of non-traditional instruments - soprano sax, bass clarinet, electric guitar, uillean pipes - as well as bombarde, biniou, fiddle and accordion. Unfortunately, this tape stayed behind in Latvia. It was only labelled, in Russian, 'Bretanskaya Muzika', and to this day I have been unable to identify the band.
Thanks for all the info Binoubraz, I've been curious to find more info on Breton music. I like Kornog, but I can tell that they are putting their own spin on the music. I enjoyed hearing John Skelton do some breton tunes when he visited a couple months ago.
Yeah, like Breandan, I was over in Brittany for a summer touring creparies (sp), cafe's & clubs about twenty years ago. I did a tour with Paddy -the Gulpin- O'Neill, & Desi Wilkinson, which was pretty entertaining in itself.
Absolutely brilliant country, fantastic music song & dance. Go to a Fest Nos & your hooked on that whole thing for life. It's every bit as infectious as Irish Music.
Incidently Brad, we ran into John Skelton & his London based band, who were also touring at the time. Can't remember their name but Sean Keane was singing with them, & we also spent loads of time with Kornog, who are all exceptional musicians.
I couldn't recommend the Breton experience strongly enough.
Brendan was hinting that if someone should offer him a tour over there, he would jump at it. Well, if your get an offer Brendan baby, & need a Fiddlin' / Concertina player, don't forget my numbers ..........
PS. Incidently, which f****** eegit suggested that a tune had to be long & complicated to be a good tune - dooooh!!!
Brittany is very hospitable to visiting musicians. It is also the most 'celtic' country I've visited. They really do have a thriving music culture all over the larger than you think country. It is still firmly rooted in the local traditions with a lot of young people involved in traditional and folk rocky type bands.
It is much more folky than Ireland or Scotland, they still have a rural peasantry proud of their heritage (though things are now going the way of the west) and the food is much much better.
It is a joy to see the involvement of the community at the Fest Noz's and other festivals.
The music is mesmeric and though I personally love ITM, the different and wide range of dances are very impressive. Very difficult to remember 4 bar repeats, some then 8 bars but different to 4 bar sections, though rather too similar to make rembering easy-try the famous Kevin Burke Gavottes.
Its a great country - go on holiday there, if you can play anything celtic you'll be welcomed in many places, if you don't play watch the dancers, see the lovely scenery and eat fantastic meals in interesting restaurants.
If only Ireland had such food ( and Scotland )
In support of Henk and Ptarmigan it's worth pointing out that Beethoven based the first movement of one of his big symphonies on an opening 4-note motif, 3 notes of which were 1 note repeated. And the big tune in the last movement of his 9th is one of the simplest tunes around. So a good musician should be able to do a lot with little.
I'm very enthusiastic about the music from Brittany ever since I stayed in Rennes a couple years ago and got to attend a Fest Noz. From what I could see people of all ages mixed in, including teenagers. It was not a solemn, self-conscious or scholastic rendering of old traditions, but a lively and vital part of everyday life. I wish I had a chance to try out a bombard. Is there a web-site or message site for English-speaking fans of this music? My French is pretty primitive and my Breizh non-existant. Also there are two songs (words) I've been trying to find: Ar soudarded and Ar Galon Digor. Annie Ebrel sings it and is unforgettable. One other question- I saw a man on TV5 last March playing Bretonese music with a recorder, really impressive. Anyone know who he is?
But you can't find, on the web, today the 2 songs "Ar Galon Digor" and "Ar Soudarded" but in the CD " Celtic voices" you can find the first and in the CD of GAWLARN, the second in text
If you can, check out Den - just around the window and Gwerz, especially the "Live" album. Notable musicians are people such as Soig Siberil, Christian Lemaitre, Padraig Sicard, the Molard brothers - Jackie, Patrick and Dominic, Jean-Michel Veillon and Yannick Allory. Also groups like Barzaz and Trio Eric Marchand... I've been listening to these guys for years as well as those mentioned above, and they are excellent.
timjellies, what do you mean about the food in Ireland (and Scotland)? Do you live in Ireland? I've been there a couple of times in recent years and found fabulous food. Of course the first time I was traveling with a couple of gourmand friends who have more money than I do and researched places to eat, so some of the places we ate were expensive. But worth it, if you're a foodie. But even at simple places, we had great smoked salmon, oysters (straight out of Galway Bay, they set a whole new standard for me), potato dishes, dairy foods, bacon, and on and on.
Sorry, this is off the subject. But I'm as passionate about food as about music.
I was on an elderhostel in Brittany on Sept. 11, 2001 and I was much impressed by how solicitous and concerned for our (Americans) feelings and well-being everyone, EVERYONE, was. I love the country (oops! - state) and its people and music.
I was privileged to get to attend a Fest Noz and was so taken with the music and dance and the enthusiasm of the people of all ages for it that I want to learn to play the bombarde. I guess I'll also have to find a piper to play with
My one regret from my trip is that I was too shy to jump in and do the dances, which I now believe could be learned on the fly. I very much agree with Henk Bos that the music is hypnotic.
Thanks to all of you that have supplied links for various things Breton. I'll make good use of them.
Breton music can on the face of it be repetative, but I love the way it can be built up, adding more voices, then perhaps the flut/whistle going up an octave, "voices" dropping out then returning and the whole thing taking on an almost hypnotic life of it's own. Must go now, guiness taking control.
Len
While some breton music have short melodies and so are very repetitive, there are nore different rythm around than in Eire, where nowadays at least at the sessions lots of reels are played, some Jigs and almost nothing els..
Breton music fixes very well to folk rock and world approaches. I like many groups like Tri Yann, Gwendal, Gwerz, Stone Age, Mugar, Brizhi rua.....
Most of these groups play some to a lot of irish music, and they play it in a more or less irish way. In contrary to the irish groups which play breton tunes without giving care about the breton background. Sometimes the result is great anyhow.
When I perform and we playa breton tune I explain the ignorant locals here: This is breton music. We play for a long, long time the same tune. Keep dancing until you collapse, this is an old way of party - it is kind of dark age rave....
carolsviolin
I live in UK and often go to Ireland. You can find fresh well prepared food in Ireland in select places, but I found a lot of dire pub food (as there is in England). Scotland is similar, one has to go upmarket and avoid pretentious presentation to get good food.
Brittany on the other hand has about ten times as many restaurants, bistros, and creperies, even cafes serve good cheap
food and the seafood is so cheap you can't believe it. Any little village will have somewhere pretty great. (An American friend has just told me the word 'Seafood' is an American invention and did not exist before the 1950s- This is off topic in an off topic reply!)
If you like food and folk music you'll love Brittany
I love the image of the " Rave of the Dark Ages." Having danced late into the night with Wild Asparagus' "Bombarde" man sending us to new levels I can see how this Breton music moves a group of dancers.
I have tried to link to some of the sites listed on this thread and because of my inability to read French (or should I say the language of Brittany) I'm unable to find any music to check out. Any suggestions?
Do you like Breton Music ?
Do you like Breton Music ?
Hello,
Do you like Breton Music and what do you know about it ?
More and more Irish band used Breton tunes, and you ?
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by Mandolman
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Sure! I haven't heard much, but what I have heard, I've liked.
Do we have any Breton tunes in the database?
Marguerite
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by mvhplank
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Many's the Fest Noz I attended in the Montagne Noir area of central Brittany when I visited there over 20 years ago. I played at Festao in Huelguat, Carhaix, Rostrenen, and other places.
I love the music, and especially the singing for dancers.
Alain Stivell and Dan ar Braz were very highly respected by Irish musicians and you will get the odd 'An Dro' in a session over here in Ireland.
Also had the privilege to play at the Festival Interceltique in Lorient - what an absolutley bloody mad and amazing festival. Over 3000 celts from Brittany, Isle of Man, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Galicia. 10 days of non stop music, song and dance.
I'd love to get back again one of these days!
Breizh atao!
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by breandan
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Hi
I like to play some breton tunes from time to time, i have about a 2hour breton music repertoire. But the problem with breton music is that there are few good tunes: let’s say to be kind about 10 tunes in each kind of dance .
Breton tunes are very short: 4 bars!!! So it can be very boring when a group play those 4 bars over and over again. Irish music can be listened to, even if you don’t dance, breton music can’t with most of the groups. (Pennou skoulm was a good group, Dremwel could be tool ).
# Posted on November 12th 2002 by paul95
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
That's all fun !!
Paul Leray, Breton tunes haven't got only 4 bars. There is 300 type of dance in Brittany : 2/4 4/4 3/4 6/8 9/8 12/8. So: AnDro, Gavotte des Montagnes, Gavotte Dardoup, Dans Plinn, Dans Fisel, Avant Deux de Travers, Polka, Scottish....
So it's very different. But to play well music, you must to improve when you repeat the 4 bars of the 1st and the 2nd part, in the respect of the Dance.
Listen Ar Re Yaouank, Carre Manchot or Pevar Den. They are most popular in Brittany and play very well Breton Music.
If you want sheet music and scores( "partitions" in French), go on
http://breizhpartitions.free.fr/
ABC Tune go here
http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/FindTune.html
and write " andro" or "Loudeac" for example.
A good place to learn music bretonne, it's here
http://www.breizh.net/ICDBL/saozg/guide.htm#Chapters
If you want to listen a goods bands, go there
(copy this url)
http://search.fnac.com/Search/Nodes/Default.asp?NID=3052981&RNID=%2D2&SID=252ec24e%2D3918%2D429b%2D81c7%2D59118819b1e7&Origin=FnacAff&UID=0fdd08fe5%2D4398%2Da390%2D9e85%2De48ddf73e0e7&SubjectId=3052981&SearchType=SUBJECTSEARCH
Music Breton is free, you can play all the tunes. Listen and listen again. You will love it.
Ken ar wech all
# Posted on November 13th 2002 by Mandolman
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Yes, I like Breton music. I was very much impressed by a Breton-Scottish band named Kornog. Saw them play at the Dranouter festival (Belgium) 2001.
It's been mentioned that the short motives in Breton tunes make them hardly worth listening to. I firmly disagree: I think the repetitive character has a hypnotizing effect that is very attractive.
As with all music much depends on the interpretative skills of the musician though.
# Posted on November 13th 2002 by Henk Bos
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
I once got hold of a cassette-copy of a Breton band, whist I was living in Latvia. They had some fantastic tunes (a few of which I can remember) and ingenious arrangements, featuring a number of non-traditional instruments - soprano sax, bass clarinet, electric guitar, uillean pipes - as well as bombarde, biniou, fiddle and accordion. Unfortunately, this tape stayed behind in Latvia. It was only labelled, in Russian, 'Bretanskaya Muzika', and to this day I have been unable to identify the band.
# Posted on November 13th 2002 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Thanks for all the info Binoubraz, I've been curious to find more info on Breton music. I like Kornog, but I can tell that they are putting their own spin on the music. I enjoyed hearing John Skelton do some breton tunes when he visited a couple months ago.
# Posted on November 13th 2002 by Mad Baloney
Re: Do you like Breton Music ? - Who doesn't?
Yeah, like Breandan, I was over in Brittany for a summer touring creparies (sp), cafe's & clubs about twenty years ago. I did a tour with Paddy -the Gulpin- O'Neill, & Desi Wilkinson, which was pretty entertaining in itself.
Absolutely brilliant country, fantastic music song & dance. Go to a Fest Nos & your hooked on that whole thing for life. It's every bit as infectious as Irish Music.
Incidently Brad, we ran into John Skelton & his London based band, who were also touring at the time. Can't remember their name but Sean Keane was singing with them, & we also spent loads of time with Kornog, who are all exceptional musicians.
I couldn't recommend the Breton experience strongly enough.
Brendan was hinting that if someone should offer him a tour over there, he would jump at it. Well, if your get an offer Brendan baby, & need a Fiddlin' / Concertina player, don't forget my numbers ..........
PS. Incidently, which f****** eegit suggested that a tune had to be long & complicated to be a good tune - dooooh!!!
# Posted on November 13th 2002 by Ptarmigan
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Brittany is very hospitable to visiting musicians. It is also the most 'celtic' country I've visited. They really do have a thriving music culture all over the larger than you think country. It is still firmly rooted in the local traditions with a lot of young people involved in traditional and folk rocky type bands.
It is much more folky than Ireland or Scotland, they still have a rural peasantry proud of their heritage (though things are now going the way of the west) and the food is much much better.
It is a joy to see the involvement of the community at the Fest Noz's and other festivals.
The music is mesmeric and though I personally love ITM, the different and wide range of dances are very impressive. Very difficult to remember 4 bar repeats, some then 8 bars but different to 4 bar sections, though rather too similar to make rembering easy-try the famous Kevin Burke Gavottes.
Its a great country - go on holiday there, if you can play anything celtic you'll be welcomed in many places, if you don't play watch the dancers, see the lovely scenery and eat fantastic meals in interesting restaurants.
If only Ireland had such food ( and Scotland )
# Posted on November 14th 2002 by timjellies
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
In support of Henk and Ptarmigan it's worth pointing out that Beethoven based the first movement of one of his big symphonies on an opening 4-note motif, 3 notes of which were 1 note repeated. And the big tune in the last movement of his 9th is one of the simplest tunes around. So a good musician should be able to do a lot with little.
-m
# Posted on November 14th 2002 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
I'm very enthusiastic about the music from Brittany ever since I stayed in Rennes a couple years ago and got to attend a Fest Noz. From what I could see people of all ages mixed in, including teenagers. It was not a solemn, self-conscious or scholastic rendering of old traditions, but a lively and vital part of everyday life. I wish I had a chance to try out a bombard. Is there a web-site or message site for English-speaking fans of this music? My French is pretty primitive and my Breizh non-existant. Also there are two songs (words) I've been trying to find: Ar soudarded and Ar Galon Digor. Annie Ebrel sings it and is unforgettable. One other question- I saw a man on TV5 last March playing Bretonese music with a recorder, really impressive. Anyone know who he is?
# Posted on November 14th 2002 by La_grotte
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
To find some Breton's songs, go on
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/per.kentel/
But you can't find, on the web, today the 2 songs "Ar Galon Digor" and "Ar Soudarded" but in the CD " Celtic voices" you can find the first and in the CD of GAWLARN, the second in text
Ar Soudarded
http://www.fnac.com/Shelf/article.asp?PRID=531425&SID=1142f2f8%2Dfb0d%2Defdd%2D939c%2D98dcedb70836&UID=0e3277544%2D96f8%2D3b2f%2Daa9d%2Da6341bb2cccf&AID=&Origin=FnacAff&Pe=1&No=3&Fr=0&Mn=3&Ra=-28&To=0
Ar Galon Digor
http://www.fnac.com/Shelf/article.asp?PRID=712076&SID=1142f2f8%2Dfb0d%2Defdd%2D939c%2D98dcedb70836&UID=0e3277544%2D96f8%2D3b2f%2Daa9d%2Da6341bb2cccf&AID=&Origin=FnacAff&Pe=1&No=3&Fr=0&Mn=3&Ra=-28&To=0
Sorry, i haven't got TV5
Timjellies you can find a good website to Breton music in English,
here
http://evolbreizh.free.fr/Anglais/mus1.html#Within
and a good place for the oldest institution in breton music.
http://www.dastum.net/dastum_uk/home.htm
I'ts very interesting to see all the answers and your love about Britanny and Breton music.
You're Welcome in Brittany !!!!
# Posted on November 14th 2002 by Mandolman
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
If you can, check out Den - just around the window and Gwerz, especially the "Live" album. Notable musicians are people such as Soig Siberil, Christian Lemaitre, Padraig Sicard, the Molard brothers - Jackie, Patrick and Dominic, Jean-Michel Veillon and Yannick Allory. Also groups like Barzaz and Trio Eric Marchand... I've been listening to these guys for years as well as those mentioned above, and they are excellent.
Yeched' mat!!
Conán
# Posted on November 15th 2002 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
timjellies, what do you mean about the food in Ireland (and Scotland)? Do you live in Ireland? I've been there a couple of times in recent years and found fabulous food. Of course the first time I was traveling with a couple of gourmand friends who have more money than I do and researched places to eat, so some of the places we ate were expensive. But worth it, if you're a foodie. But even at simple places, we had great smoked salmon, oysters (straight out of Galway Bay, they set a whole new standard for me), potato dishes, dairy foods, bacon, and on and on.
Sorry, this is off the subject. But I'm as passionate about food as about music.
# Posted on November 16th 2002 by carolsviolin
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
I love Breton music!
I was on an elderhostel in Brittany on Sept. 11, 2001 and I was much impressed by how solicitous and concerned for our (Americans) feelings and well-being everyone, EVERYONE, was. I love the country (oops! - state) and its people and music.
I was privileged to get to attend a Fest Noz and was so taken with the music and dance and the enthusiasm of the people of all ages for it that I want to learn to play the bombarde. I guess I'll also have to find a piper to play with
My one regret from my trip is that I was too shy to jump in and do the dances, which I now believe could be learned on the fly. I very much agree with Henk Bos that the music is hypnotic.
Thanks to all of you that have supplied links for various things Breton. I'll make good use of them.
# Posted on November 17th 2002 by langolier
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Breton music can on the face of it be repetative, but I love the way it can be built up, adding more voices, then perhaps the flut/whistle going up an octave, "voices" dropping out then returning and the whole thing taking on an almost hypnotic life of it's own. Must go now, guiness taking control.
Len
# Posted on November 19th 2002 by len
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Yes, of course.
While some breton music have short melodies and so are very repetitive, there are nore different rythm around than in Eire, where nowadays at least at the sessions lots of reels are played, some Jigs and almost nothing els..
Breton music fixes very well to folk rock and world approaches. I like many groups like Tri Yann, Gwendal, Gwerz, Stone Age, Mugar, Brizhi rua.....
Most of these groups play some to a lot of irish music, and they play it in a more or less irish way. In contrary to the irish groups which play breton tunes without giving care about the breton background. Sometimes the result is great anyhow.
When I perform and we playa breton tune I explain the ignorant locals here: This is breton music. We play for a long, long time the same tune. Keep dancing until you collapse, this is an old way of party - it is kind of dark age rave....
Greetings
Urs
# Posted on November 20th 2002 by swisspiper
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
Richard Robinson's Tunebook online has a good section of Breton Music.
# Posted on November 29th 2002 by ANNY
Re: Do you like Breton Music ?
carolsviolin
I live in UK and often go to Ireland. You can find fresh well prepared food in Ireland in select places, but I found a lot of dire pub food (as there is in England). Scotland is similar, one has to go upmarket and avoid pretentious presentation to get good food.
Brittany on the other hand has about ten times as many restaurants, bistros, and creperies, even cafes serve good cheap
food and the seafood is so cheap you can't believe it. Any little village will have somewhere pretty great. (An American friend has just told me the word 'Seafood' is an American invention and did not exist before the 1950s- This is off topic in an off topic reply!)
If you like food and folk music you'll love Brittany
# Posted on November 30th 2002 by timjellies
Question for urs or anyone re Breton Music
I love the image of the " Rave of the Dark Ages." Having danced late into the night with Wild Asparagus' "Bombarde" man sending us to new levels I can see how this Breton music moves a group of dancers.
I have tried to link to some of the sites listed on this thread and because of my inability to read French (or should I say the language of Brittany) I'm unable to find any music to check out. Any suggestions?
# Posted on November 30th 2002 by 1whoknows