Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges
On this page, learn more about Joseph Bologne; Tafelmusik’s recording of and commitment to his work; and further reading and resources about Bologne and Black artistry in classical music today.
Listen
The Music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Tafelmusik’s landmark recording devoted to the music of Joseph Bologne, the influential Black 18th-century composer, is now available on all streaming platforms.
The Music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges digital album includes orchestral excerpts from the composer’s opera L’amant anonyme, the Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 3, no. 1, and the Symphony in G Major, op. 11, no. 1 by Saint-Georges; the Allegro from the Violin Concerto in F Major, op. 10, no. 4 by Leclair; and the Symphony in D Major, op. 5, no. 5, “Pastorella” by Gossec. Jeanne Lamon, Linda Melsted, and Geneviève Gilardeau are the featured violin soloists.
A production of Tafelmusik Media 2021. Originally released by CBC 2003
A production of Tafelmusik Media 2021. Originally released by CBC 2003
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Learn
In this Digital Booklet, read essays about this recording from Bologne scholar Marlon Daniel, and Tafelmusik librarian and harpsichordist Charlotte Nediger.
In this Listening Guide from Tafelmusik violist Patrick G. Jordan, learn more about the extraordinary life of Joseph Bologne, and listen to playlists which exemplify his work.
Want to learn even more about Bologne? Explore this collection of further reading and resources, which provide valuable context surrounding Bologne’s storied life and his contributions to the classical music canon.
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, is not a household name. But in the 18th-century he was one of the greatest musicians of his day
Marlon Daniel, Artistic and Music Director of the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges
Disclaimer
In 2003, Tafelmusik recorded an album devoted to the music of Joseph Bologne, titled “Le Mozart Noir”. A subsequent re-release of the same album, in 2016, featured abstracted, stylized artwork which obscured and erased Bologne’s face.
We recognize that by using the title “Le Mozart Noir”, and by using artwork which depicts the composer with an abstracted blank face, we have contributed to and facilitated the erasure of Joseph Bologne and his legacy. We regret, and apologize for, these actions.
With the goal of properly centring Bologne’s achievements, our digital audio release has been reissued under a new title, The Music of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Newly commissioned album artwork by Toronto painter Gordon Shadrach and an essay by American conductor and Bologne scholar Marlon Daniel accompany the re-release, in order to properly depict Bologne.