French classical music

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French classical music began with the music of the Church, with written records predating the reign of Charlemagne, and has continued in uninterrupted evolution to the present day, including all of the major genres of sacred and secular, instrumental and vocal music. With occasional exceptions, French classical styles have always had an identifiably national character, ranging from the clarity and precision of the music of the late Renaissance to the Impressionistic styles of the early 20th century, and usually paralleling similar trends in the other arts. Famous French composers include Perotin, Machaut, Lully, Couperin, Rameau, Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Debussy, Ravel, Milhaud, Poulenc, Messiaen, Dutilleux and Boulez.