Joseph Boulogne, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges - L'amant anonyme (1780) - Ballet no 1

[thepianoplayer416]

Even without the music, St. George was a very educated man. Black people had no property rights and few had the chance to go to school.

Mixed relationships were common than most people imagine. Because couples didn't get marry they could be common-law in their private bedrooms (in places like Louisiana, Texas - the Southern States).

People refer to him as Black. Normally you trace your ancestry through your father. In Apartheid years in S. Africa they classified mixed people as "Coloured"

[Physicspilot]

This piece starts with so much authority...great piece. I play this almost every morning before I head or on my way to school

[ValiantRecordoffical]

the technicality behind many of chevalier de saint george always impresses me without fail

[Bieberfever10185]

Now when I watch Marie Antoinette with Kirsten Dunts, I now know who that black guy teaching her the piano is. Because he apparently gave her private lessons...

[thepianoplayer416]

200 years later the US wasn't treating the ex-slave population any better until after the assassination of MLK Jr. in Memphis, TN.

Scott Joplin received Classical piano training in Europe and tried writing operas but is best remembered by his Rag compositions. Don't think the white folks can recognize him as a "serious" Classical composer.

Louis Armstrong got invited to perform in the Soviet Union in the 50s but cancelled the trip in protest as the country was still segregated.

[AuxaneD]

I think people forget that Alexandre Dumas, and even Impress Eugénie were part black / had black ancestry. Even then, some managed to break the glass ceiling in France like de Saint-George and showcase their talents.

[wonphi]

@msm2you However I understand what you are saying. Because he was part black and white, I think realistically he experienced both sides of race acceptance and hate, and obviously things probably never went as smooth for him as if he was a full white person. So yes, he still had to fight and battle many hardships from racists and laws set by racists at the time.

[wonphi]

@msm2you Not exactly, You forget that his father is an aristocrat of the high class. Back then status was huge in determining your social order. The family you were born in sets whether you were of the Bourgeoisie or Proletariat class, obviously since his father didn't abandon him, raising him as his son, he got the benefits of an elite in society. Based on his up bringing & the opportunity he had, I bet many people treated him like a white person in social standings even though he is mixed.

[wonphi]

@knowledgeaboveall black means people who are african. Bi racial ppl have the right to choose what they want to be. Accurately speaking this person isn't black. Like the concept of gender, it's up to that individual to choose who they can relate to more. People have the right to acknowledge all their ancestors if they choose, not only side with one of them. After all we ate just the human race with diverse cultures.

[havebold123]

@wonphi History showed in his case the struggles he with through due to his color. The Black gene dominates. AS a result, the person is from both races but looks more Black and is thus treated as such!

[wonphi]

@havebold123 Actually, black genes are not dominant. The amount of gene expression can vary from person to person. However, there are dominant phenotypes associated w/ black genes (such as hair properties, & melanin production, which is dominant compared to recessive phenotypes from white people.) Yes he probably had his fair share of racism he had to fight, but he was by no means like a slave in the States either. This gave him more opportunities to pursue his talents. That's all I am saying.

[PhilipineMan]

Race is simply a weak point tyrants or oligarchs use to divide the lower classes and thus empowering the authority.

[MsMesmer1]

I think race is more a state of mind, than anything else. My late brother, for all intents and purposes, looked "white" but never thought of himself that way. All of our ancestors originally came from Africa anyway. What do you people think of HIS MUSIC?

[AndyDrewww]

@euch27 can you not harness the same inspiration from a white man or an asian? If the inspiration is knowing a black man can compose such beautiful works of art, ask yourself why you need such affirmations in the first place.

[knowledgeaboveall]

@AndyDrewww I totally agree with you Andy! He is a masterful artsist and ppl should simply see it as such. -Reminds me of how ppl say " He speaks so well."

Like because a person is black they should not be able to speak their language correctly! Or because someone looks Asian they can't speak English.

The talent of this man speaks for itself. His ancestry of course plays a role in the man he became, his fight for fredom inspires me. His music delights me.

[MrJay429]

The SLAVE who outwitted, outsmarted, and outplayed his Masters.

What more inspiration could you ask for???

[LULLYxoxo]

I too am a mixed musician and composer, I'm not a composer of this time era (classical) but it is amazing that Mozart stoll some music from Boulogne !

[juanchulobk]

Well, since this is just splendid music I won't add to any heated discussions on race. I will say that I do not like the reference to him being like Mozart. He did not copy Mozart nor did he try to be a Mozart. Music society has placed Mozart on such a high pedestal it is really unbelievable to me. There are 2 schools on Mozart; some say he was a genius and some say he was a pop star that could only write the same things over and over. I agree with the latter. Boulogne is different.

[wonphi]

he's biracial not black. He is half black though and that's a fact. Definitely young black musicians can look up to this very talented man. It shows that anyone regardless of skin colour can do what they want, and does not have to fit into a stereotype.

[knowledgeaboveall]

@wonphi why is it hard for you and others to understand that black is not an actual race. When people say blac they are referring to brown skinned peoples who have African ancestry. If this does not describe this artist, then there can be no other descrition. At what point does an African descendant not become black. As I have white ancestry, African ancestry, and Fillipino ancestry, does this negate my African Ancestors. Not at all. Like Solomon of te Bible, I am black. ppl c me they c black

[mugmanx]

a oui quel oeuvre lol

[christian2M]

Joseph Boulogne surnomé ''Le Mozart noir`''

[chuspita2009]

Oh my... he was good!!!!

[Samuraiboy]

He was also among the finest swordsmen in Europe

[Garpinator]

Good heavens people! I say he was in actuality purple with pink polka dots! (The artists just didn't get the colours right in the portraits.) Whatever he was, he was unjustly discriminated against by a misinformed and indoctrinated society, AND I LOVE HIS MUSIC!!!!!

[SwartAristocrat]

@Garpinator Touche'

[mikedanso]

EVERYONE get over it!... Bottom line is the man was HUMAN... This racial mess we all participate is is solely based upon ego... ( " My race/religion/color/hair/cultu­re/looks/car/house/church/temp­le/ neighborhood/voice/painting/sc­ulpture/blood/:...ad infinitum... is better than yours.." get over it, be glad that you are at the top of thefood chain and enjoy life and living..Everything else is a tage we put on person/places/things in order to be comfortable..selfish shite...

[momolipedo]

hou hou hou hou hou

[GeriHew]

Well, it was his white father who paid for his education in an academy in France. He never married Joseph's black mother, however he must surely have been an exceptionally enlightened man by the standards of his time not to have just abandoned his illegitimate child. Which undoubtedly was the fate of most mixed race children at the time.

Joseph Boulogne was clearly a very fine composer as well.

[ThatsABiggon]

Wow, One of our African Ancestors in Europe. Almost makes me take classical music seriously... NOT...

[Rirriirir]

@ThatsABiggon you should, classical music rules :)

[MsMesmer1]

@ThatsABiggon What have you got against classical music? I find some of it to be quite relaxing and beautiful. I'm black btw and I listen to ALL types of music. Don't be so narrow minded. 

[WALTKRIEG]

@MsMesmer1 You are right. Music is universal. Every good musicians, good singers, good bands draw attention of everybody. There is no fight around music.

[dankedlinds]

He's black get over it.even though he is mixed when it comes down to it anyone who would look at him would says he's black.look at obama when he got elected people didnt say he's the first "black and white president "they said he was the first black president.I'm black and white but I still consider myself black.

[SwartAristocrat]

Half-way touche'. My point is this. Truth is truth. No matter what we want to call it. The truth is indeed the truth and there is no disputing it. White is white. Black is black. Bi-racial is biracial. It's not that I'm not getting over anything. The fact of the matter-and any other matter is that the entire world is okay with accepting something that we are told-or brainwashed to accept with no regards to what the truth is. Okay. Great. Society says he's Black. But what is the actuality of it.

[SwartAristocrat]

Je garde absolument les contributions musicales de ce compositeur.

[floydordie]

C'est une honte qu'il soit tombé dans l'oubli.

[SwartAristocrat]

It is a shame isn't it? Such purity gone to waste.

[missasegei]

Beautiful and Joseph du boulogne was smokin' hot..

[Flurina1246]

Beautiful!

[arthostoss]

ah un noir, c'est magnifique , le talent est toujours là au rendez-vous, chapeau bas monsieur de saint george!

[MysticRubyFaerie]

Wow.... overlooked part of history... I am in awe

[ChickstersHideaway18]

Wow, another gun pulled out of your holster! La'amont Anonyme [1780] # 1. You can almost see the 1700 atire worn by the people of that time! B.p's and impressed!

[MysticRubyFaerie]

This was the documentary I was seeing the other day.... the composer.... he was the first black classical music composer apparently..... yeah too bad this song is short!

[SwartAristocrat]

He was actually Black and White. His father was french (European descent-white in color) and his mother was a slave (African descent-dark brown in color) saying that he was only Black is insulting to the part of him that is of his father. Don't you agree?

[SwartAristocrat]

Ha-Ha! You were there? You met them? Regardless. He is not only Black. He is Black and White.

[SwartAristocrat]

According to most white people? Whites are not the governing authority of how things should be. Truth is truth. According to history, almost of everyone on the Planet has a drop of African blood. Research it. So regardless of what most "white people" (as you say) feels, if a mother is one race and the father another, The child is of both those races. Hence the word bi-racial. Think of how it sounds. One drop of Negro blood makes you Black. What does a drop of white blood make you? Transparent?

[SwartAristocrat]

Nope. Don't get it at all. It matters not what you or society says he is. The TRUTH is that he is Black and White. Any racist would still call you a nigger. Is that the truth or is it just another "label"? Are you a nigger? In fact, if you do indeed look the same as this man we speak of, then you sir are not Black. You've got some white in you too. Assclone? Brilliant. How long did it take you to come up with that one? Is an assclone half ass-half clone? If so, what other labels come with it?

[Interdiffusion]

@SwartAristocrat There is actually no such thing as "white blood". Caucasoidism stems from a mutation of the so called "black" gene. A tough pill for many to swallow, but truth is on the table.

[SwartAristocrat]

If that is true (I won't dispute or try to disprove that), don't you think it is immoral and down right crooked to allow a society to think otherwise? I'm not interested in the origins of race, but if I was born to a White father and Black mother, I'd refuse to call myself Black just because societal bullies say I am. I would be a bi-racial human. Period. If your theory is correct, that means everyone in the world is Black. Well I don't care. I base my relationships on quality humans-not race.

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat i hope u don't believe in this pathetic one drop rule btw. and race is a term to describe appearance. someone doesn't necessarily look like both his parents, one could look like just one. so ur not what both your parents are, your what you look like when it comes to race, because race by definition is used to describe exterior appearance, not character or culture etc, which can not be seen. got it?

[SwartAristocrat]

@pqstr The one drop rule is white america saying "we don't want any nigger blood in our children. They're tainted". So what happens to the children if black america says the same thing. Race refers to classifications of humans into populations or groups based on various factors, such as their culture, language, social practice or heritable characteristics. Race is used by the general public in a naïve or simplistic way erroneously designating wholly discrete types of individuals. (regurgitation)

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat i don't know what regurgitation is but race is originally about what i told u. ppl of many different races can belong to the same culture so it has nothin to do with culture really. any other opinions about race are pretty much ignorant. peace out cuz I'm gettin bored with this topic once again in this life.

[Kingtunice]

yes however society will always see him as black

[SwartAristocrat]

Our society will always place convenient labels where ever it can. But truth is truth. He is both Black and White. If "society" labels you as something you know you are not, will you make an effort to let it be known what the truth about you is? Or will you just let it go on and on and on until it is just accepted as the norm? Our society is governed by men and women with opinions-not truth. Sad huh?

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat I couldn't possibly disagree more and I'm sick and tired of this ignorance of you people. why the hell would it be insulting to his father. let me give you an example. if his father was short and his mother was tall and he was tall would it be insulting to his father to say that he is tall? of course not. it's just a characteristic and it's not disrespectfull to none of his parents. it's the only truth.

[SwartAristocrat]

I do see where you're coming from. If a pitbull and a boxer had puppies they are considered mixed breed correct? They are not labeled as just pitbulls or just boxers. We call them pitbull and boxer mix. On the other hand, if you combine yellow and blue together you get the color green, with no immediate evidence that blue and yellow created it. My point is, he is neither white nor black. He is bi-racial.The evidence is apparent as in the canine analogy not hidden as in the color green analogy.

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat then bad example.it is like that with dogs but it is not like that with the situations i explained about short and tall.so which one is correct about humans?mine.and what do u mean by sayin "I see where you're comin from"? some ppl would say he's neither white or black he's biracial or whatever u wanna call it. some others would say he's black and he's white and biracial.go figure. some others would say he's black cuz he looks black n he's just a nigger to racists.they're right.

[SwartAristocrat]

@pqstr "I see where you're coming from" means you got your point across. It doesn't mean that I agree. I simply understand what you're saying. My only point since the beginning of this whole "thing" is: He is not black. He is black and white. Bi-racial. I've met plenty of people of combined nationalities or races, and they have no problem saying (and prefer others to say): "I am Native American and White"; "I am Mexican and Japanese" (my ex-wife), regardless of what the birth certificates say.

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat and what does their birth certificate say by the way?

[SwartAristocrat]

@pqstr It is not about what "Some people" may say. That is one of the main points of my argument. To hell with what "people" wish to say. WHAT IS THE TRUTH? The truth is that he is mixed with both Black and White genes. People can say what ever. When someone asks my nationality, I let them know exactly what I am because it is the truth. I'm not going to disown any part of my human composition just so it could be easier for an on-looker to place me in a category. I am what I am. Both of these.

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat well I'm not. and i don't remember sayin "some people". the truth is what i say trust me. go to a place where they don't like black ppl and if u look black they won't ask if ur ass is mixed or not. get it? that's cuz u look black (u as in anyone) which means u are black because race is to describe the looks like tall, short etc. if my dad is tall and my mom is short and i am tall would u say i should say i am tall and short? hell no. i am tall n that don't mean i deny my mom!

[SwartAristocrat]

@pqstr If you're tall or short. People can't deny that. When someone looks at you, they can immediately see that you're tall or short. If you're bi-racial. You don't look Black. You don't look White. The skin color of a bi-racial person is lighter than a Black person's, but darker than a White person's. Anyone can see that.

White father + Black mother= ? That is correct! A Black and White child. A Bi-racial child whose skin doesn't look White or Black. So cut the whole "look Black" statement.

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat when ur OF MIXED ANCESTRY or mulatto then u can look in many different ways and sometimes ppl cant even tell what that ur mixed so cut the whole bein absolute opinion.u say when ur mixed u dont look black.the problem with ur opinion is in this very frase.the problem is ur way of thinkin about black bein just pitch black, but it's not.and even if that was the case there are mixed ppl that are pitch black or white.so ur bein absolute and absolutely wrong.so not anyone can see that

[MDefsquad9]

@SwartAristocrat actually Bi racial people dont really have specific look as some can look really white and some looking black and some looking brown to hard tan. facial features differs..your average african american might look more like from africa as the rest african americans are mixed with european descent dont look African and dont look European..so right a bi racial dont look white but dont look white buuut they can look passing white but can look like a black person.

[pqstr]

@SwartAristocrat and something else. sometimes u refer to mixed ppl as being black and white and sometimes as being neither black nor white. i hope ur realising that ur clearly contradicting ur self.

[kahiso]

Tres musique bonne. J'tame.

[RobBobMarley]

excellent my friend.

[yottaparsec]

one of my favorites