Continuing his work to bring the life of Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799) to the forefront, Banat, a concert violinist and teacher, describes the life of this virtuoso violinist who is thought to be the earliest black European composer. Setting the record straight, the book recounts his mixed parentage, his years on his father's plantation in France, how he was a fencing prodigy, and how he became a chevalier at the court of Louis XV. Other topics explored are his performances and conducting, prejudice he faced, links to Gluck and Marie Antoinette and others in French society, his time in London, and his compositions, including quartets, concertos, and symphonies concertantes. A discography, facsimiles of sources used, and a works list that incorporates a thematic index conclude the book. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)