Saint-Georges: Violin Concertos No. 1, Op. 3 and Nos. 2 and 10
2/1/2005, 9 Tracks, 1:05:28
Featuring
Kevin Mallon
Zhou Qian
Toronto Chamber Orchestra
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Did you know?
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Composer Biography
Saint-Georges was a remarkable individual, known as an athlete, violin virtuoso, and composer, among other talents.
Performer Biography
Qian Zhou, the violinist on this recording, won the First Grand Prize and multiple other awards at the prestigious Marguerite Long/Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris at age eighteen.
Composition History
Saint-Georges founded the Concert de la Loge Olympique, the orchestra for whom Haydn composed his famous 'Paris' symphonies.
Composer Biography
Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was the son of a French colonial planter and a Senegalese slave, born in Guadeloupe.
Composer Biography
Saint-Georges was predicted to become the finest swordsman in Europe after his first public fencing match in 1766.
Compositional Technique
Saint-Georges's violin concertos reveal him to have been an exceptional player, comfortable with bravura passage work, agile string crossings, and double-stopping in fast tempos.
Composition History
Saint-Georges succeeded Gossec as musical director and leader of the Concert des Amateurs, which became one of France's finest orchestras.
