Symphony XI- II-Andante-Chevalier

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (25 December 1745 to 10 June 1799), was a French Creole, a champion fencer, a virtuoso violinist and composer, and as a free man of color conducting leading orchestras in Paris. During the French Revolution he volunteered in the War of the First Coalition against Austria and headed a regiment, the American Cavalry Legion. In 1796 he left for Saint-Domingue, then in full revolt and attacked by British troops. Within a few months he returned to France and spent the remainder of his colorful life devoted to his violin. It is thought he received music and composition lessons from FranAois-Joseph Gossec. In 1769 he joined a new symphony orchestra, ALe Concert des amateurs,A consisting of amateurs and professionals, and founded by Gossec; two years later he was appointed concertmaster and started composing. In 1773, he was appointed the orchestra's conductor. In 1775, he introduced the symphonie concertante, using the possibilities offered by a new bow. In 1776, he was proposed as the next conductor of the Paris Opera but was subsequently denied this role by a petition. In 1778, he was living at the house of the Duc d'OrlAans, when Mozart also was a guest for two and a half months. After Le Concert des Amateurs disbanded in 1781, he joined a new orchestra formed by a masonic lodge that was called Le Concert de la Loge Olympique. He stopped composing instrumental works altogether. In 1784 he commissioned Joseph Haydn to write six symphonies for them. These works were premiered in 1787 and are known today as Haydn's "Paris"Asymphonies, nos. 82-87.