Ghost in the Cell

Years before I came to Canada, I came across Cœur de Pirate (Beatrice Martin). Having been an aficionado of French music, both classical and contemporary, since young, I was impressed by the lyricism and simplicity of her music, reminding me somewhat of Raphaël Haroche, the continental French singer, who is best known for his poignant song, Caravane . My favourite Raphaël album is Haute Fidélité. I generally listen to non-English music, especially French and Mandarin, as my brain usually thinks in English, and listening to non-English music helps me enjoy the musical aspects better, and simultaneously focus on the task at hand. Not to mention that the fluidity of French and Mandarin languages enhances melodic contours.  In classical music, continental French music is well known for its impressionistic style, epitomised by Debussy and Ravel, and later romantic style, exemplified by Gabriel Fauré and César Franck. I performed Fauré's Nocturne in E flat major in my...