Search - Le Mozart Noir / Joseph Boulogne, Le Chevalier Saint Georges on DVD

Very good, but too short

Anonymous | NYC | 10/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary, although very well done, is less than an hour. That isn't nearly enough time to cover the fascinating life of this forgotten historical and musical maverick. The best parts of the film are the musical segments. To be able to see the virtuosity in the music in addition to hearing it is a real bonus. See this film, but also read the biography - you will learn much more than the slim outline you see in the film."

An enlightening look at a forgotten artist

Kendra Johnson | 10/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary descirbes the life of Chevalier Saint Georges, an eighteenth-century violinist, composer, conductor, and champion fencer who was of African decent. He was a contemporary of Mozart's, even inspiring the more well-known composer in his music, yet today he is virtually unknown.

The film is slightly cheesy in parts, but the information about this amazing and little-known musician more than compensates. There is also some great excerpts performed by Tafelmusik of Saint George's work.

A very interesting film."

St George

D. Coan | Kirkland, WA | 05/15/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw part of this video on the CBC television network, I was enthralled I am a music lover but was not aware of this great composer!!
Buy it, watch it it's full of beautiful music and an amazing story."

A little known black musician who influenced Mozart

J. Tyrrell | Birmingham UK | 09/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This really is an amazing production presenting an accomplished musician and athlete. How is it That Joseph Boulogne is so little known? He said to have been a virtuoso violinist of the front rank who played before Marie Antoinette. He could have become director oif the Paris Opera, but that was a step too far for a black person in a European capital.

There is no record as far as I can see that Boulogne met Mozart who visited Paris at the time. A remarkable point made is that Boulogne introduced the Sinfonia Concertante form which Mozart certainly picked up and made his own with even his most remarkable music. It is also stated that Boulogne commissioned Haydn and conducted his Paris Symphonies.

I have only been able to find this document in Region 1 format so it remains under wraps to a large degree, especially for European audiences. I'm sure this could be easily remedied by making copies available in Region 2 or 0!"