Le Mozart noir. Reviving a legend

Description

Few people know that in 18th century France, a black man became not only an internationally recognized composer, but also a director of France s leading orchestras. Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges was born in Guadeloupe c1739 to a slave mother and a French colonialist father who brought the family to France when he was ten. His remarkable life story is recounted in this film, which shows how he overcame the adversities of class, race and society to distinguish himself as a violinist, composer and conductor. His musical compositions inspired Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven.Through the use of beautifully rendered historical recreations, archive-based narration, orchestral performance by the Tafelmusik Orchestra, and interviews with Ashley Horne, Concertmaster of Chicago s New Black Music Repertory Ensemble, Gabriel Banat, historian and Jeanne Lamon, Musical Director of the Tafelmusik Orchestra, Le Mozart Noir reveals how such a talent was overlooked by history.

Runtime

54 min

Subjects

Contributor

Geography

Genre

Date of Publication

2006

Database

Alexander Street

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