Charles-Henri de Blainville


Charles-Henri de Blainville was a French composer, cellist, pedagogue and theorician.

Biography

The birthplace of Charles-Henri de Blainville remains uncertain, François-Joseph Fétis wrote that he came from Tours, which all the other biographers have copied. In the preface of his Sonatas Op. 1 of 1740 is mentioned "By Mr. Blainville de Roüen". Blainville entered the service of the Marquise de Villeroy. He wrote vocal and instrumental works which had little success. In 1751, he made himself known by affirming that there existed a "third mode", between minor and major. He wrote two theoretical works: L'Esprit de l'art musical ou réflexions sur la musique and L'Histoire générale, critique et philosophie de la musique.
He died in Paris.

Works (selection)

Operas
Orchestral music
Chamber music
Sacred music
Secular vocal music