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A review by ajraffles
The Bridgetower Sonata: Sonata Mulattica by Emmanuel Dongala
3.0
I received a copy of this to give an honest review.
The premise of this book intrigued me, as it follows the life of George Augustus Bridgetower, a black violinist who was well renowned in his time of the late 18th century progressing into the 19th century. He meets and befriends all sorts of celebrated names--Beethoven taking precedence over all, although Mozart is an unknowing competitor--and there will be scads of celebrities for the reader to note. The descriptions of how different countries reacted toward people of colour, and the thin protection a rising star was afforded from prejudices were interesting.
Alas, this book focused quite a deal more on his father than what I anticipated, and the beginning portion of the book is a bit of a trek to get through, while the ending comes on abruptly. We have followed Bridgetower from the age of nine only up to his twenties, although he lives into his eighties. I would have enjoyed being able to dig more into Bridgetower's life, and getting deep into it. Who was he outside of music? What drove him on and kept him going? What hobbies did he have, apart from reading? I suppose the documents that could flesh that out are scant, but the book is a decently quick read that can help create a thirst to want to know more about this remarkable man.
The premise of this book intrigued me, as it follows the life of George Augustus Bridgetower, a black violinist who was well renowned in his time of the late 18th century progressing into the 19th century. He meets and befriends all sorts of celebrated names--Beethoven taking precedence over all, although Mozart is an unknowing competitor--and there will be scads of celebrities for the reader to note. The descriptions of how different countries reacted toward people of colour, and the thin protection a rising star was afforded from prejudices were interesting.
Alas, this book focused quite a deal more on his father than what I anticipated, and the beginning portion of the book is a bit of a trek to get through, while the ending comes on abruptly. We have followed Bridgetower from the age of nine only up to his twenties, although he lives into his eighties. I would have enjoyed being able to dig more into Bridgetower's life, and getting deep into it. Who was he outside of music? What drove him on and kept him going? What hobbies did he have, apart from reading? I suppose the documents that could flesh that out are scant, but the book is a decently quick read that can help create a thirst to want to know more about this remarkable man.