French Street Music : Still Playing in My Heart

By Claire Kim

 

I was standing on the platform waiting for the metro to go to the Louvre Museum. And then very clear and harp-like sounds began to be played. I got closer to that sound. One guy started to play his harp-like instrument. He plunked the strings with special tools with a variation of the song “I wish you love” which is very popular song. It was the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. The music reverberated through the whole platform. All people in the subway station clapped their hands and some elderly people danced joyfully to the melody. While he played the song I was absorbed in it and I recorded him on my digital camera. And that “I wish you love” joyful melody never left my head during my trip. Moreover, whenever I listen to that song every scenery, atmosphere and even my thoughts during my trip come across my mind.

When you travel to Europe you can come across street musicians anywhere you go. If you’re looking at swans sitting around the emerald green Lake Lucerne, there would be a duo playing Mozart’s song with violin and digital piano. And if you walk along the Seine River, you would see various musicians and their audiences. It was like a mini concert when I looked down at a musical group in front of Notre Dame Cathedral. People were sitting in front of those musicians and after their fantastic playing the audiences applauded it.

 

Although street musicians are general scenery in Europe, Paris has more of them than any other country. And personally, I think those in Paris are the best. Most of them are very professional so their performances are unique and great.

As a matter of fact, Metro musicians need a formal permit to play in the subway in Paris. If they played metro without a permit, they would get a penalty. RATP – public corporation of Paris’ metro system – introduced the audition system for selecting “metro musicians” in 1997. Even if a musician passes the audition and gets a formal permit, they have to receive a reexamination and renew their permits at least once every six months. Some musician sells their CD that played and produced by themselves during their performance. In fact, metro musicians made a joint CD named “Correspondances” which means transfer station, in 2003.

According to a survey, Paris is one of most popular cities in the world and attracts the most visitors. Paris has abundant tourist attractions and cultural resources. Street artists are the another important cultural property that attract tourists. They make the cityscape with old beautiful buildings and visitor’s mood more brilliant.

If you enjoy that kind of performance, after sharing your appreciation by giving some coins to them, you could experience a small but happy and precious travel. Street musicians enjoy their own music. They play music not only for earning money but also for the pleasure of tourists. They are true artist in the world’s most artistic city.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Read more articles in this category
Read more article by this author – “French Café vs. Starbucks”
Learn more about the author
HOME