The Protestant Reformation's Musical Impact

The 16th century brought religious upheaval to France. Protestant reformers, influenced by Calvin in Geneva, created a new sacred music tradition—the Huguenot psalter. Claude Goudimel (c. 1514-1572) harmonized psalm tunes for congregational singing, creating simple, dignified settings that contrasted with elaborate Catholic polyphony.

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572) claimed many Protestant musicians, including Goudimel himself. This tragedy disrupted French musical development and drove many Huguenot musicians into exile, spreading French Protestant musical traditions across Europe.