Concerto

The story of the violinist and composer Chevalier de Saint-George, who was born as a slave in Guadeloupe and later educated alongside the elite at the French court in the 18th century, is for me highly reminiscent of the history of my own ancestors. My concerto is an homage to Saint-George’s talent as a violinist and fencer. An entire poetic world between the parameters of the hair of the bow and the blade of the sword is waiting to be explored. The work has connections with the homeland of Saint-George with its echoes of the Gwoka, a tradition of music, song and dance adopted by African slaves. In contrast, there are also links with Freemasonry which underpins the composer’s attachment to the values of the Enlightenment. The solo part of the concerto is quasi a personification of Saint-Georges himself. Thierry Pécou