Composers

Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges

1739 - 1799

About

Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1739 -1799) born in Guadeloupe, French West Indies to a wealthy plantation owner and slave, is best known as an accomplished violinist, conductor, and one of the first black composers to make an important contribution to music in the European tradition. He began his musical studies in Paris, studying with Jean-Marie Leclair and Francois Gossec during the 1760’s. In 1773, Gossec ascended to director of Concert Spirituel and gave Saint-George control of the Orchestra des amateur. Under this new leadership, the Orchestra des amateur gained notoriety as the best orchestra in the Paris. During this decade, Saint-George composed music for violin, small ensemble, chamber, and orchestra before was invited to conduct the L’Orchestre de la loge olympique and eventually become the Director of the Academie Royal de Musique (eventually the Paris opera). Though he invitation for the Academie Royal was withdrawn due to his racial background, he was inspired to compose various vocal works and comic operas.  Despite his importance to the history of Black composers, Saint-George’s fame is often rooted in his skills as a fencer and his involvement in the French Revolution.

Related Information

Biographies of Black Composers and Songwriters

Works by Joseph Bologne Chevalier de Saint-Georges

Title Collection Voice Type Range Poet
L'autre jour Voice D4 - D5
Mamma mia, non mi gridate Voice D4 - E5 Unknown
Scena (Recitativo: Ernestine, que vas-tu faire?; Aria: O Clemangis, lis dans mon ame) Ernestine Soprano Eb4 - C6 Valmont de Choderlos de Laclos
Sul margine d'un rio Voice E4 - F#5 Venetian popular song
Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
L'amant anonyme Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional fl, ob, hn, str
Overture in D Yes Chamber Professional 2-ob, 2-hn, str
Symphonie Concertante in G Major Yes Full Orchestra Two Violins 10-20 Professional 2vl pr; str
Symphony in G Major Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 2ob, 2hn, str
Symphony in No. 2 D Major Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Collegiate or above 2ob 2cor 2vn va vc/b
Violin Concerto in A Major op.5 no.2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional vn pr; 2vn va vc/b
Violin Concerto in A Major op.7 no.1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 10-20 Professional vn pr; hn 2vn va vc/b
Violin Concerto in B-flat Major op.7 no.2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional vn pr; hn 2vn va vc/b
Violin Concerto in C Major op.5 no.1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional 2(opt)2(opt)00, 2(opt)000, str
Violin Concerto in C major, G.028, op. 3 no. 2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 10-20 Professional 2(opt)2(opt)00, 2(opt)000, str
Violin Concerto in D Major op.3 no.1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 10-20 Professional vn pr; 2fl 2ob 2cor 2vn va vc/b
Violin Concerto in D Major op.4 no. 1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 10-20 Professional 0022, 2000, str
Violin Concerto in D Major op.4 no. 2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 10-20 Professional 2(opt)2(opt)00, 2(opt)000, str
Violin Concerto in D major, G.026, op. 2, no. 2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional 2(opt)2(opt)00, 2(opt)000, str
Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 12 no. 1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional
Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 8 no. 1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional
Violin Concerto in G Major op.2 no.1 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional 2(opt)2(opt)00, 2(opt)000, str
Violin Concerto in G Major, op. 12 no. 2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional vn pr; 2ob 2cor 2vn va vc/b
Violin Concerto in G Major, op. 8 no. 2 Yes Full Orchestra Violin 20+ Professional str