Le Mozart Noir

A Canadian production, Le Mozart Noir aims to rescue from obscurity a musical figure of the late 18th century: Joseph Boulogne, Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a skilled composer and violinist who was born on Guadeloupe, the son of an African slave and her wealthy French master. After being brought to France by his father for a proper education, Boulogne not only became a noteworthy musician but also a master fencer (as well as a notorious ladies' man and, during the revolution of the 1790s, a general in charge of a contingent of a thousand black troops). Combining a biography with an introduction to his compositions, the program's musical performances--courtesy of the outstanding original instrument orchestra Tafelmusik, led by violinist Jeanne Lamon--reveal Saint-Georges to have been a proficient exponent of the gallant style. And even though the acoustic seems a bit too resonant, the Dolby Digital 5.0 sound is excellent, and comments from Lamon and several other musicians are illuminating. On the other hand, the historical recreations—though opulently filmed—are somewhat stilted and waxen. Still, even if one might wish that the biographical aspect of Le Mozart Noir were less superficial, this disc fills a void as an appreciation of Saint-Georges' musical accomplishments. DVD extras include complete performances of selected movements from several of his works, and an audio commentary by Lamon and the producer. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)