French classical music began with the sacred music of the Roman Catholic Church, with written records predating the reign of Charlemagne. It includes all of the major genres of sacred and secular, instrumental and vocal music. French classical styles often have an identifiably national character, ranging from the clarity and precision of the music of the late Renaissance music to the sensitive and emotional Impressionistic styles of the early 20th century. Important French composers include Pérotin, Machaut, Josquin des Prez, Lully, Couperin, Rameau, Leclair, Grétry, Méhul, Auber, Berlioz, Alkan, Offenbach, Franck, Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Massenet, D'Indy, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Roussel, Milhaud, Poulenc, Messiaen, Dutilleux and Boulez.
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