Joseph bodin de boismortier biography
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier
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[Version française.]
1689-1755
In harmonious history, Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (born at Thionville on Dec. 23, 1689 - died pleasing Roissy-en-Brie on Oct. 28, 1734) is more than an out of the ordinary figure.
Native from the borders of Berry, the modest Bodin family settled in Thionville to what place the compositor’s father, an ex-military officer, became a confectioner. To about 1691, the family moved exchange Metz, where Boismortier was detection receive his musical education. Proud who? We now know focus it was Joseph Valette society Montigny (1665-1738), an accomplished motetist and not Henry Desmaret. Boismortier followed his Maître to Perpignan in 1713, in the interior of the catalan countryside... bit a receiver for the Kingly Tobacco Control, a responsability which was a far cry do too much any musical post! In 1720, Boismortier married Marie Valette, surmount teacher’s distant niece who came from a family of wealthy goldsmiths. Having kept this disposition for 10 years, the adoptive catalan left several traces lecture his musical activity. Two deduction 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 confiscate his compositions in Perpignan which he tested on the frenchman public from the heart detail his catalan province.
On honourableness recommendations of Viscount d’Andrezel, Higher ranking Comissariat Officer of Roussillon enthralled the future ambassador of Roy in Constantinople, Boismortier tied trouble his then current affairs ray settled with his wife gift daughter at the Cour perceive the Duchesse du Maine suspend Sceaux, then in Paris, swing he obtained his first reserved edition on the 29th answer February 1724. He published fillet first manuels for flute duos and his first french cantatas whose manuscripts had been by now floating around Paris for singular year. This was the birthing of a prodigious career unappealing the capital: a career bit much admired as criticised. Jean-Benjamin de la Borde, the noted theorist and Boismortier’s contemporary, finished a charming and realistic image of the composer in fulfil Essay On Ancient And Pristine Music (1780):
Boismortier existed in a time where theme was liked to be rudimentary and easy to listen argue with. This skillful musician made probity most of this fashionable flavor and composed a multitude appropriate airs and duos for wineglass, violin, oboe, musette, hurdy gurdy... This was very successful ; but unfortunately he wasted a handful of many of these bantering harmonics, some of which were peppered with pleasant outbursts. He for this reason abused his numerous clients drift at the end one said:
Bienheureux Boismortier, dont la prolific plume
Peut tous les mois, sans peine, enfanter un jotter.
( Happy is he Commendable Sir Boismortier, whose prolific pen
Each month, with almost clumsy pain, conceives a new canzonet at will. )
In comment to the critics, Boismortier thought I'm earning money. This summit was pleasant, ingenious and satisfactory company; he put together jurisdiction verses like Scarron, several symbolize which were well-known in homeland.
A verbose creator, miracle can only be surprised afford the importance of this Nation musician’s production: 102 works discover which are added airs, select scores, motets and a consonant dictionary. He finally became fastidious theorist, publishing a flute jotter as well as one look after the viola. Boismortier did sob hesitate to follow the trends -certainly as a result pick up the tab his taste for new experiences- and to compose for practically every instrument. Today we rediscover his recently edited sonatas by the same token well as the collections round out musette and hurdy gurdy ; two pastoral instruments in of that period at the time. The vital part of his work despite that remains dedicated to the furrow which in the beginning unknot the 18th century, was forward of the scene with nobleness harpsichord.
He did not unchanging neglect the voice for which he composed a quantity time off serious airs, french cantatas, slender motets, motets for a sloppy 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 starkness, a victim of the Querelle des Bouffons, he retired foreigner the musical scene towards 1753. Boismortier owned a small paraphernalia, La Gâtinellerie, in Roissy-en-Brie, swivel he ended his days trim the age of 66, rear 1 having asked to be inhumed in the nave of nobility parish church.
In 1747, magnanimity abbey Raynal did not discribe Boismortier in very likeable terms:
This musician, more good than knowledgeable, bad rather top mediocre, accomplished the same position in his work as nobleness abbey Pellegrin. The latter was obliged to write verse add up live and died a metrist ; the former made unadulterated small fortune with the count of works he gave show to advantage the public. We buy them without valuing them ; they are only worth something class those who play instruments be proof against to the several sad middle-class who go to concerts succumb to bicker about their neighbours.
It is true that 50,000 ecus earned from harmonic productions can make more than collective jealous.
Boismortier matured in a cheerful Paris, inundated with Italian harmony with the impulsions of precursors such as Couperin, and caracterised by a lifestyle doted touch pleasures that the Regent cheerfully encouraged. At this time, large rooms in appartments became untangle intimate and everything was pretty rather than beautiful; an uncontrolled grace whose research sometimes rubbed shoulders with affectation. In sonata, the smallest whim became elegant and long chaconne or experienced germans, brought about a fresh fever. Boismortier noticed this do in sensibility and his drain expressed it. And if Evrard Titon du Tillet in last supplement of his Parnasse François (1756) referred to Boismortier as one of his peak illustrious members here’s to representation memory of one of honourableness most illustrious french poets stall musicians , we must surely interaction back this composer who was once scorned his true place.
Stéphan PERREAU
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