Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Champion fencer 🤺 | Classical Composer | Violinist 🎻 | Conductor - Symphony Orchestra in Paris | Black Mozart

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

later during the years of Napoleon’s gov’t, performances of my music, whatever that was left of it, were banned. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Well, im back after being falsely imprisoned for 11months. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Due to this new development in my life, most of my manuscripts and music were destroyed during the early years of unrest #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

I also took advantage of recent developments in bow technology to emphasize fleeting and precise passagework. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Fun Fact: my Violin Concerto in A major extends 5 pitches higher than any of Mozart’s violin concerti. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

3 years later, I had put my name in the hat to become the co-director of the Academie Royal de Musique, which is know as the Paris Opera, but I lost the chance too after 3 ladies in the company petitioned for the Queen for my rejection. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

In 1773 I happily assumed leadership of the orchestra, Concert des Amateurs, after Gossec left. I now had a orchestra at my disposal to play my compositions!! #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Unfortunately, some of my compositions have been lost #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Some of the works I composed were modest and featured some of the trends during my time. Mozart based a passage in his ballet score “Les petits riens” (The Little Nothings) on one of my melodies. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Two of these works were:-

The Symphonie Concertante written for a small group of instruments with orchestra - https://t.co/cT3YEJBfJ2

Quartet Concertante written for a mixed group of small instruments

#musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

My Concerto for Violin in A major, Op. 5, No. 2 serves as a bridge from the virtuosic works of Baroque violinist/composers such as Corelli, Locatelli, and Tartini! Check it out!
#musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

I also studied under Jean-Marie Leclair. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

In 1769 I became the concertmaster of Goccec’s orchestra after studying the violin with him for a number of years! #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

@renegadepea Well these attempts on my were due to my heinous crime of being “black”. The 1st attempt happened in 1779 at the Bou. du Temple in Paris. At the time, I was hanging out with my friends when 6 assassins attacked us. The night watch came to our rescue and saved us!

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

I gained fame as a violinist, composer, and conductor. Europe’s too composers created violin works for me in mind as the soloist. #musc322

[Antonio Lucio Vivaldi @AntonioLucioVi3]

After hearing of the revolt that’s occurring in France at this moment, it’s no wonder why their compositions sound so unpredictable. Like their compositions, I hope this resolves peacefully. #PrayforFrance 👏🏽🇫🇷 #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

I was an early supprter of racial equality in France and England. #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

Towards the end of my life, after surviving the french revolution, I devoted the rest of my life to my violin #musc322

[Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges @jobologne]

I also adjusted my focus of my upbringing to fight for revolutionary ideals #musc322