French Musical Life: Local Dynamics in the Century to World War II. Katharine Ellis.

French Musical Life: Local Dynamics in the Century to World War II by Katharine Ellis is a comprehensive and well-researched book that explores the local dynamics that shaped French music. The book challenges the Paris-centric focus of previous studies and examines the relationships between decentralization and regionalism in French musical life. It covers topics such as education, concert rites, stage music, folk music, religion, and nation. The book also delves into the history of orchestras, tensions within the opera world, and the impact of café-concerts on traditional opera. It highlights the lack of a French equivalent to folk-based music and provides insights into musical institutions and the influence of individuals on these institutions. Overall, the book offers a fresh perspective on French music studies and emphasizes the importance of local archives in shaping our understanding of music and politics. [Extracted from the article]