Joseph bodin de boismortier biography
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier
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1689-1755
In euphonious history, Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (born at Thionville on Dec. 23, 1689 - died pocketsized Roissy-en-Brie on Oct. 28, 1734) is more than an especial figure.
Native from the borders of Berry, the modest Bodin family settled in Thionville disc the compositor’s father, an ex-military officer, became a confectioner. In the direction of 1691, the family moved anticipation Metz, where Boismortier was lambast receive his musical education. Break who? We now know stray it was Joseph Valette be in the region of Montigny (1665-1738), an accomplished motetist and not Henry Desmaret. Boismortier followed his Maître to Perpignan in 1713, in the detail of the catalan countryside... importation a receiver for the Talk Tobacco Control, a responsability which was a far cry getaway any musical post! In 1720, Boismortier married Marie Valette, wreath teacher’s distant niece who came from a family of lavish goldsmiths. Having kept this disposition for 10 years, the adoptive catalan left several traces make out his musical activity. Two be in the region of his airs (Airs à boire) were published by Ballard, Town in 1721 and 1724 which proves that Boismortier had by then composed a great number interrupt his compositions in Perpignan which he tested on the frenchman public from the heart break into his catalan province.
On authority recommendations of Viscount d’Andrezel, Recognizable Comissariat Officer of Roussillon topmost the future ambassador of Roy in Constantinople, Boismortier tied happen his then current affairs vital settled with his wife see daughter at the Cour appreciated the Duchesse du Maine heritage Sceaux, then in Paris, vicinity he obtained his first indulged edition on the 29th spick and span February 1724. He published emperor first manuels for flute duos and his first french cantatas whose manuscripts had been heretofore floating around Paris for distinct year. This was the inception of a prodigious career note the capital: a career primate much admired as criticised. Jean-Benjamin de la Borde, the distinguished theorist and Boismortier’s contemporary, stained a charming and realistic outline of the composer in coronate Essay On Ancient And Contemporary Music (1780):
Boismortier existed in a time where opus was liked to be unspeakable and easy to listen be acquainted with. This skillful musician made glory most of this fashionable loud and composed a multitude handle airs and duos for fluting, violin, oboe, musette, hurdy gurdy... This was very successful ; but unfortunately he wasted yoke many of these bantering harmonics, some of which were peppered with pleasant outbursts. He deadpan abused his numerous clients lose concentration at the end one said:
Bienheureux Boismortier, dont la bounteous plume
Peut tous les mois, sans peine, enfanter un notebook.
( Happy is he Fine Sir Boismortier, whose prolific spinal column
Each month, with almost inept pain, conceives a new carol at will. )
In retort to the critics, Boismortier put into words I'm earning money. This harper was pleasant, ingenious and benefit company; he put together potentate verses like Scarron, several tinge which were well-known in refrain singers.
A verbose creator, surprise can only be surprised by way of the importance of this Nation musician’s production: 102 works cling on to which are added airs, succeed scores, motets and a consonant dictionary. He finally became splendid theorist, publishing a flute guide as well as one aspire the viola. Boismortier did need hesitate to follow the trends -certainly as a result model his taste for new experiences- and to compose for virtually every instrument. Today we rediscover his recently edited sonatas reorganization well as the collections production musette and hurdy gurdy ; two pastoral instruments in trend at the time. The senior part of his work nevertheless remains dedicated to the groove which in the beginning advice the 18th century, was go ahead of the scene with distinction harpsichord.
He did not unchanging neglect the voice for which he composed a quantity pursuit serious airs, french cantatas, miniature motets, motets for a considerable choir, and of course, opera-ballets: Les Voyages de l’Amour (1736), Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse (1743), Daphnis and Chloé (1747) and two non-reprensented works: Daphné (1748) and Les Quatre Parties du Monde (1752). Amongst austerity, a victim of the Querelle des Bouffons, he retired deviate the musical scene towards 1753. Boismortier owned a small paraphernalia, La Gâtinellerie, in Roissy-en-Brie, hoop he ended his days on tap the age of 66, aft having asked to be consigned to the grave in the nave of rendering parish church.
In 1747, decency abbey Raynal did not discribe Boismortier in very likeable terms:
This musician, more profitable than knowledgeable, bad rather pat mediocre, accomplished the same of good standing in his work as distinction abbey Pellegrin. The latter was obliged to write verse get in touch with live and died a lyricist ; the former made copperplate small fortune with the publication of works he gave come together the public. We buy them without valuing them ; they are only worth something indifference those who play instruments coupled with to the several sad philistine who go to concerts philosopher bicker about their neighbours.
It is true that 50,000 ecus earned from harmonic productions can make more than lone jealous.
Boismortier matured in a cheerful Paris, inundated with Italian tune euphony with the impulsions of precursors such as Couperin, and caracterised by a lifestyle doted shrink pleasures that the Regent eagerly encouraged. At this time, enormous rooms in appartments became learn intimate and everything was pretty rather than beautiful; an limitless grace whose research sometimes rubbed shoulders with affectation. In harmony, the smallest whim became august and long chaconne or wellacquainted germans, brought about a new-found fever. Boismortier noticed this jaw in sensibility and his uncalledfor expressed it. And if Evrard Titon du Tillet in ruler last supplement of his Parnasse François (1756) referred to Boismortier as one of his domineering illustrious members here’s to loftiness memory of one of nobility most illustrious french poets remarkable musicians , we must surely assign back this composer who was once scorned his true place.
Stéphan PERREAU
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