Of course, we all say that music is a universal language, and there’s probably nothing more global and universal than music. All this is true. But I must say, after working on about 300 episodes of Rendez-Vous d’Amérique, I’m kind of wondering if music isn’t a more universal language if it has a French accent.

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In the last episode, we have a story about the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and its organist. His name is Daniel Brondel, he’s French and he does admit during the interview that being French helped him to get the job at Saint Patrick. Even if he learned how to play the organ in… Atlanta, Georgia. It didn’t change the fact that being French helped.

Not the first time I heard this, far from it. It seems that there is an aura around the French classical musician or, at least, around their training in France.

So, I checked. Are French musician better than others? Not really…

Of course, there is a tradition in France around music education, the French conservatory, the reputation of French music teachers, French orchestras and French musical institutions. And it’s all true but France isn’t the only one, in Europe or elsewhere. Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, all these countries are renowned for their musical culture and tradition (Sweden is a country where musical education is essential, for example). And the U.S. is not bad either. The level of musical education in some colleges like Julliard, for example, is far above the average of some musical schools in Europe or at least equal to some of the most prestigious. And orchestras like the L.A. Phil or the San Francisco Symphony Orchestras are amongst the best in the world…

So why do French musician still have this little bonus in America? Why does French musical

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tradition still earn respect amongst the U.S. music lovers? I have absolutely no clue. I can feel your disappointment, you were expecting a definite answer, but I have no idea.

Daniel Brondel had probably no idea either why a guy who learned how to play the organ in Atlanta was chosen for one of the most prestigious jobs in the organ’s field because he was French. But hey, who cares, he got the job. And now, some 12 years later, he’s one of the best organ players in the world. Oh, and he’s French…

To learn more about Daniel Brondel, and his work at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, tune in to Rendez-vous d’Amérique on TV5MONDE USA. Click here for more information.

Exploring cultural diversity through music, cinema, and beyond, Rendez-vous d'Amérique invites you on a journey to discover Francophone culture in America. Your host on this cultural experience is Didier Allouch - reporter, cinephile, and a familiar face on the red carpet. Click here to learn how you can subscribe to TV5MONDE USA and never miss an episode!