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The Great Songbook

The Great Songbook: Episode 1: France

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Episode 1

Episode 1: France

France

BBC Radio 4 - The Great Songbook, France

Cerys Matthews goes in search of the classic popular songs that make the French songbook.

Cerys Matthews goes to Paris to discuss the classic popular songs that constitute the great French songbook.

France's popular music legacy is vast and diverse. Cerys Matthews travels to Paris in search of some of the key classic songs that constitute the French songbook, and talks to a panel of guests including musicologist Catherine Rudent, writer and commentator Catherine Guilyardi and popular music journalist Bertrand Dicale. Whilst some French songs have been chart successes in the UK, and others have become jazz standards, Cerys uncovers a patrimony that ranges from the seductive to the salacious, but which is always delivered with wit and panache. And with some 3,000 French songs including 'Paris' in their titles, the city itself acts as muse as well as backdrop to many of France's greatest popular classics.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Cerys Matthews explores the songbooks of countries other than America

Everyone has heard of the Great American Songbook. In this series, Cerys Matthews explores the songbooks of other countries

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The Great Songbook

Episode 1: France

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