Overture to L’Amant anonyme

1. Allegro Presto
2. Andante
3. Presto

Recent research and attention to diversity within the arts have brought greater awareness of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges (1745- 1799), historically known as the first classical composer of African ancestry and even referenced as the “Le Mozart Noir” (the Black Mozart). Born in the French-ruled Caribbean island of Guadalupe as the son of a wealthy planter and an African slave, Bologne was not only a virtuoso violinist, composer, and conductor, but also colonel during the French Revolution. He was even judged as the best swordsman in France. His most successful opéra comique was L’Amant anonyme (ca. 1780), and the overture in three short movements (fast-slow-fast) adapts brilliantly for brass quintet. Bologne’s late-18th Century Parisian style provides a particular lightness and elegance that departs from most other brass transcriptions from similar eras.

Trumpet 1 part provided in E♭, B♭ and C. Trumpet 2 in B♭.

The YouTube video below features the Towson Brass Quintet playing the 1st movement.