Page 31 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

A POR TR AIT OF BRIT T AN Y  29

Tri Yann, a band that celebrated
its 40th anniversary in 2011,
practises the Breton musical Gilles Servat gave
tradition of extemporiza tion. a fresh boost to
Alan Stivell has recorded over For the second time since the Breton music during
20 albums since his Reflets was band came into existence, a woman the 1970s.
released in 1970. has replaced one of its founders.

Scottish bagpipes

Dan Ar Braz, from Quimper, has twice
won the Victoire de la Musique. He has
represented France at the Eurovision Song
Contest and he now attracts a large audience.
Describing the music that he plays, he prefers
to call it the music of Brittany rather than
traditional Breton music.
Breton Orchestras
Bagadou, or Breton orchestras, feature
bombards, bagpipes and drums. It is these
orchestras that are responsible for keeping
alive Breton musical tradition. Among the
most famous bagadou are those of
Landerneau and Lann Bihoué.

The Contemporary Scene
The young generation understands that it is new kinds of music
that will help Breton traditions survive, by mixing the traditional
with the contemporary to create new styles. Erik Marchand, who
was born in Paris, learned Breton songs and then went on to join
forces with gypsy and Oriental musicians. Kristen Nikolas gave
Breton music a techno flavour. His band, Angel IK, freely mixed
wild guitar-playing with Breton songs. Yann-Fanch Kemener, who
began his career as a singer of Breton songs, now per forms with
jazz musicians. Nolwenn Leroy popularised Breton music with cover
versions of traditional Celtic songs. One of the most outstanding
talents is Denez Prigent. After specializing in gwer zou (ballads) and
kan ha diskan (songs with descant), he has been exploring techno. Denez Prigent

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