Chevalier de Saint-Georges; Thierry Pécou - Caribbean Violin Concertos (Romuald Grimbert-Barré)

Information

Composer: Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges; Thierry Pécou

• Saint-George - Violin Concerto No. 9 in G Major, Op. 8
• Pécou - Violin Concerto "Hommage à Saint-George"
• Saint-George - Violin Concerto in A Major, Op. 5 No. 2

Romuald Grimbert-Barré, violin

Orchestre national de Cannes

Benjamin Levy, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Aparté

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Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges stands as one of the most remarkable cultural figures of the eighteenth century. Born in Guadeloupe to a French aristocrat and an enslaved woman, he rose in Parisian society through extraordinary talent as a violinist, composer, fencer, conductor, Freemason, and participant in the French Revolution. His violin concertos, particularly those of Opp. 5 and 8, reveal a distinctive style that combines brilliance, elegance, and virtuosic flair. In this tribute recording, Romuald Grimbert-Barré and the Orchestre national de Cannes pair these works with Thierry Pécou’s Concerto “Hommage à Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George”, a contemporary composition that reflects the many dimensions of Saint-Georges’ life and legacy while reintroducing this exceptional yet historically overlooked artist to modern audiences.

Romuald Grimbert-Barré (born 1988) is a French violinist of Caribbean and Romanian heritage whose internationally acclaimed career reflects both virtuosity and artistic versatility. Raised in a musical family, he gained early recognition through major international competitions, including the China International Violin Competition and the Oistrakh International Violin Competition, and later received distinctions such as the Fondation Banque Populaire sponsorship and the “Révélation Classique” title from ADAMI. Performing regularly across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, he has appeared at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and the Philharmonie de Paris with leading orchestras worldwide. Deeply committed to reviving the legacy of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Grimbert-Barré combines performance, recording, and media projects to bring renewed attention to the composer’s work while continuing an active international concert and recording career.

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