Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: The “Black Mozart”

Hour 2

In pre-Revolutionary Paris Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, son of a white plantation owner and African slave, was well known as an all-around athlete and considered the finest swordsman in Europe. He was also a composer, conductor and violinist, whose fast and flexible fencing skills were transferred into his violin playing. A senior contemporary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, he composed in a similar, rich in harmony, simple in melody style. To understand this man and little-known slice of history, we’ve invited Lincoln University music professor CHARLES PETTAWAY to tell Saint-Georges’ life story and play some music of the “Black Mozart.”

Listen to the mp3

Listen:
[audio: 071410_110630.mp3]