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Work of the Week – Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Violin Concerto in A
- 13 Jun 2023
A new old virtuosity: On 13.06.2023 Anne-Sophie Mutter will perform the Violin Concerto in A by Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges with the Mutter's Virtuosi in Athens. Mutter will take on both the solo part and the musical direction.
Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges was born in the Caribbean as the son of a rich farmer and a slave girl from Senegal. Thanks to his father's connections, he was sent to France as a child and enjoyed a noble upbringing. He showed an aptitude in music as well as in fencing during that time. Although Boulogne mostly wrote his violin concertos for himself, this 22-minute piece is more than a mere display of virtuosity. Lyrically expressive slow movements are framed by often offbeat and original framing movements. The style is very individual and hardly comparable with representatives of the Viennese School, such as Haydn, Hofmann and Dittersdorf.
Expressive and virtuosic: Violin Concerto in A by Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Anne-Sophie Mutter was already discovered as a child as a violinist with exceptional talent. In the ensemble of her foundation (the Mutter's Virtuosi), the professional violinist has been introducing scholarship holders to life as a professional musician and presenting them to the world in concerts since 2011. In the ensemble, both current and former scholarship holders play together under the direction of Anne-Sophie Mutter.
This is very listenable virtuoso music from the last quarter of the 18th century; elevated, best entertainment. Double-stopping, cheerful, courageous - and sometimes sighing audaciously in a minor key. (Arno Lücker)
Anne-Sophie Mutter is currently on tour with the Mutter's Virtuosi and will perform the piece in other countries in the coming months: in Turkey, Germany, Italy, Austria, Finland and Spain.
Links:
Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Composer Profile
Violin Concerto in A: Work Details and Online Score
Foto: Monika Höfler
