Guillaume Yann Tiersen performs at Coachella 2010

In addition to its beauty and romanticism, the country of France has long been saluted for its crossroad of European art and music. Where these paths of notable expression intersect exists a man of music notation nobility; Guillaume Yann Tiersen. His historical home, the province of Brittany, lies in North-Western France, a previous royal kingdom. Although this place is neither longer royal nor a kingdom, Tiersen reigns recognizably as a crowned composer of his monarchial melodies.
The 2010 Coachella lineup includes a wide variety of prominent names. Less well-known than some, Tiersen’s music surpasses, or is equal to, the discographies of Coachella’s other dignitaries.
Internationally known for his scores to the French Jean-Pierre Jeunet movie “Amélie,” Yann Tiersen’s music is further acknowledged for its broad utilization of instruments. Tiersen combines his primary favorites, the piano, accordion and violin, with instruments like the xylophone, harpsichord, toy piano, melodica and more. Tiersen’s brisk fingers strike keys, orchestrating the typewriter’s audible sounds; a beloved instrumental addition chimed in his music. Having a range of instruments, plus the production of diverse sound, makes Tiersen’s relatively minimalist compositions insurmountable in the world of European classical and French folk music.
Born in 1970, Tiersen took classical training at considerably respectable musical academies, including those in Rennes, Nantes and Boulogne. A teenager in the early 1980s, he was influenced by the post-punk culture of bands like The Stooges and Joy Division.  Tiersen  recorded background music for a variety of plays and short films before releasing scores under his own name. His recordings were created for productions such as “La Vie Rêvée des Anges” (1998, Erick Zonca), and “Alice et Martin” (1998, André  Téchiné).  His domestic claim to fame followed the release of his third album, “Le Phare,” but Tiersen remained relatively unknown outside of France. The 2001 release of his score for “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain,” which was a composite of both current and previously released material, brought international awareness to Yann Tiersen’s ingenuity.
Tiersen’s aptitude has brought him collaborators album after album. Tiersen has entrusted his inventiveness to other musical talents such as “Françoiz Breut and Les Têtes Raides” for the creation of their own albums. In 2004, Tiersen issued a collaborative CD with U.S. singer-songwriter Shannon Wright. In addition to this, “Les Retrouvailles,” Tiersen’s 2005 album, featured vocals from sensations Jane Birkin, Elizabeth Fraser and a Nottingham rock band, Tindersticks.
Occasionally accompanied by an orchestra or guest artist, Tiersen’s live performances substantially vary. While Tiersen seamlessly alternates between instruments, he is sometimes accompanied only by a drummer, bassist and guitarist, offering a more customary minimalistic session. Paralleling to the sound of studio albums, Tiersen’s live albums were indeed publicly recorded; bearing no addition of an artificial applauding audience. If you can’t make the trip to Coachella to be a witness to Tiersen’s undoubtedly expected acclamation, take a visit to the iTunes store or YouTube to sample his sensationalism.