Several Persons have contributed to the following information:
Le Mozart Noir: The Life & Music of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Part 1
This was quite a surprise for me. I did start training in classical music at an early age and that continued well into my teens. I learned to play music composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart yet I had no idea there was another great composer who preceded Mozart and who composed such wonderful classical music. It was wonderful to learn of this talented individual who sadly seems to have been relegated to the dustbin of history.
NOTE: Make sure to check the YouTube links below to listen to some of his delightful works. Enjoy !
Part 2
Hi… have you heard of this great composer from the 18th century? His compositions are delightful and similar to Mozart but … he was born before Mozart. Oddly enough Mozart’s style is quite similar to that of this French African composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
The first link is from the UK INDEPENDENT news media. I have also included some YouTube links so that you can listen to some of his compositions.
See the UK INDEPENDENT article below …..
Chevalier de Saint-Georges: The man who got under Mozart’s skin
Was Chevalier de Saint-Georges, ‘the Black Mozart’ and the composer’s nemesis, the inspiration for The Magic Flute’s most villainous character
Sunday 7 February 2016 14:55 GMT
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Some more info on this composer…..
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (December 25, 1745 – June 10, 1799)[1] was a champion fencer, virtuoso violinist, and conductor of the leading symphony orchestra in Paris. Born in Guadeloupe, he was the son of George Bologne de Saint-Georges, a wealthy planter, and Nanon, his African slave.[2] During the French Revolution, Saint-Georges was colonel of the Légion St.-Georges,[3] the first all-black regiment in Europe, fighting on the side of the Republic. Today the Chevalier de Saint-Georges is best remembered as the first classical composer of African ancestry.
Here are some YouTube links where you can listen to the classical music he composed.
Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint Georges,Violin Concertos
Le Mozart Noir: The Life & Music of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Joseph Boulogne, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges – L’amant anonyme (1780) – Ballet no 1
Hope you enjoy listening to his compositions.
