Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1734

Death

:

1794

 

Jean-Benjamin De La Borde was a French composer and musicologist who lived during the 18th century. He was born on September 23, 1734, in Paris, France, to a family of musicians. His father, Jean-Baptiste De La Borde, was a composer and violinist, and his mother, Marie-Anne De La Borde, was a singer. Jean-Benjamin grew up in a musical environment and showed an early interest in music. Jean-Benjamin received his musical education from his father and other prominent musicians of the time. He studied composition, violin, and singing, and became proficient in all three. He also studied music theory and history, and developed a deep understanding of the music of his time. In 1754, Jean-Benjamin made his debut as a composer with the opera "Les Amours de Ragonde," which was well-received by the public and critics. This success encouraged him to continue composing, and he went on to write several more operas, including "Le Déserteur" (1769) and "Les Danaïdes" (1776). Jean-Benjamin was also a musicologist and collector of folk songs. He traveled extensively throughout France, collecting and transcribing traditional songs and dances. He published several collections of these songs, including "Recueil de chansons populaires" (1773) and "Recueil de contredanses" (1780). These collections were important in preserving the musical heritage of France and influenced many composers of the time. In addition to his operas and collections of folk songs, Jean-Benjamin also composed instrumental music, including symphonies, chamber music, and keyboard works. His instrumental music was influenced by the music of his contemporaries, including Gluck and Mozart, and was characterized by its elegance and refinement. One of Jean-Benjamin's most famous works is his "Essai sur la musique ancienne et moderne" (Essay on Ancient and Modern Music), which was published in 1780. This work was a landmark in musicology and was one of the first attempts to compare and contrast the music of different eras. In the essay, Jean-Benjamin argued that the music of his time was superior to that of the past, and that music should be judged on its own merits rather than on the basis of tradition. Jean-Benjamin was also a member of the Académie Royale de Musique, and was appointed as the director of the Paris Opera in 1781. He held this position for only a year, but during his tenure he made several important reforms, including the introduction of new works by Gluck and Mozart. Jean-Benjamin died on July 10, 1794, in Paris, France. He was a prolific composer and musicologist, and his works had a significant impact on the music of his time. His collections of folk songs and his essay on musicology were important in preserving and advancing the musical heritage of France, and his operas and instrumental music were admired for their elegance and refinement. Today, Jean-Benjamin De La Borde is remembered as one of the most important composers and musicologists of the 18th century.

More....