Funeral Hymn for General Hoche
This hymn was performed at the state funeral held in Paris for Lazare Hoche. Only twenty–nine when he died, Hoche was already famous for his daring military leadership against the Prussians in 1793 and for the role he played in helping to quell counter–revolution in the west of France.
1797-00-00
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/620/
620
Song for the Festival of Old Age
This song was composed for one of the many Directorial festivals that were not overtly political. Several, like the festival for which this song was composed, celebrated important moments in the life cycle.
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/619/
619
Hymn for the Festival of Marriage
Although festivals drew much smaller audiences during the final years of the Revolution, the government continued to celebrate them. Now, however, they tended to commemorate apolitical events: thus a festival, and hymn, devoted to the subject of marriage.
1798
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/618/
618
The Alarm of the People
Composed by J.M. Souriguieres, a parisian dramatist, and Pierre Gaveaux, an actor, this song demands revenge for the crimes and bloodshed of the Terror. It was quickly adopted as an anthem by the "gilded youth" of the Thermidoran Reaction, who sang it in opposition to singers of the <em>Marseillaise</em>.
1795-01-00
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/626/
626
Hymn of 9 Thermidor
This hymn commemorates the overthrow of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety by the men of the National Convention. It had its debut performance on the first anniversary of that event (27 July 1795).
1795-07-27
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/617/
617
Hymn of 21 January
With lyrics drawn from a <em>Republican Ode </em>composed by the revolutionary poet Lebrun in 1793, this hymn commemorates the execution of Louis XVI.
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/616/
616
Patriotic Song on the Unveiling of the Busts of Marat and Le Pelletier (1793)
This song illustrates the fluid boundary between "high" and "popular" musical forms. Althought these lyrics were set to a new composition by Joseph Gossec, they could also be sung to a tune already familiar to many French men and women. The song honors journalist Jean–Paul Marat and deputy Michel LePelletier, both of whom had been assasinated and were considered martyrs to the Revolution.
1793
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/621/
621
Song of the Marseillaise of the Federation of 10 August, Year II
One of many hymns that was composed by rhyming new lyrics to the wildly popular tune of the "Marseillaise," this song was performed at a festival celebrating the first anniversary of the republican revolution of August 10.
1793-08-10
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/615/
615
The Marseillaise (War Song for the Army of the Rhine)
Composed by Joseph Rouget de Lisle when he learned that France had declared war on Austria, the Marseillaise quickly became the anthem of the republican Revolution. it remains the French national anthem today. A republican anthem, the Marseillaise was considered suitable for all sorts of revolutionary events. While it was often sung casually in streets and parks, its learned composition also facilitated its adoption as a hymn by formally–trained musicians and singers.
1792
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/625/
625
The Carmagnole
Sharing its name with a popular dance, this song heaps scorn upon the queen<em> (Madame Veto),</em> believed to be a traitor, and the "aristocrats" who support her. Like "It’ll Be Okay", the simple tune of the "Carmagnole" permitted even the illiterate to learn lyrics with which to proclaim their conviction in the Revolution’s progress.
1792-08-00
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/624/
624