Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Early-20th-century Provençal literature is
dominated by writers depicting their homeland.
Jean Giono (1895-1970), from Manosque,
blended myth with reality in novels that remain
a celebration of the Provençal Alps and their
people. Marcel Pagnol wrote about his beloved
Marseille and its colourful inhabitants.
Numerous writers passed through or settled
in Provence over the course of the 20th century: Colette (1873-1954) lived in St-Tropez
from 1927 until 1938; her novel
La Naissance du Jour
(
Break of Day
) evokes an unspoilt
St-Tropez. F Scott Fitzgerald enjoyed several stays in the inter-war years; playwright
Samuel Beckett sought refuge in Roussillon during WWII; Lawrence Durrell (1912-90)
settled in Somières, near Nîmes; and Graham Greene lived in Antibes for many years and
even wrote an incendiary pamphlet about political corruption in the 1980s.
Most famous perhaps is Peter Mayle, whose novels about life as an Englishman in
Provence have greatly contributed to the popularity of the region among foreign visitors.
Traditional Provençal chants form the root of the
powerful percussion-accompanied polyphony by
Lo Còr de la Plana (
www.myspace.com/locor-
delaplana
), a male choir born in Marseille. Their al-
bum,
Tant deman
(2007), is essential listening.
MUSIC
Traditional Provençal music is based on polyphonic chants; as a music form, they have gone out of fashion, al-
though they remain part and parcel of traditional celebrations, notably Christmas and Easter.
Where Provence has really made a contribution to the French contemporary music scene is in rap, jazz and
world music, with Marseille's multicultural background proving an inspiration to many artists.
The phenomenal hip-hop lyrics of 1991 smash-hit album,
de la Planète Mars
('
From Planet Mars
', Mars be-
ing short for Marseille) by rapping legends IAM - France's best-known rap group from Marseille - nudged rap in-
to the mainstream. IAM have since gone on to collaborate with everyone from Beyoncé to film-director Luc
Besson. Since that time, the city's music scene has transcended its rap roots.
Cheb Khaled, Cheb Aïssa and Cheb Mami - all from Marseille - have contributed hugely to the development
of Algerian raï, encouraging other world-music talents such as Iranian percussionist Bijan Chemiranito, who plays
the
zarb
(Persian goblet drum), to thrive.
The Riviera has also fostered a special relationship with jazz music over the years. Nice launched its jazz fest-
ival in 1948; Antibes-Juan-les-Pins followed in 1960 after legendary saxophonist Sidney Bechet settled there in
the 1950s. Every single jazz great has since played in these festivals (Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Ray Charles
etc) while Marseille has become something of a launching pad for young jazz artists blending traditional rhythms
with contemporary influences.
