Charles-Henri de Blainville

Charles-Henri de Blainville (1711–1769 or after 1771 ) was a French composer, cellist, pedagogue and music theorist. 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 *Thésée, opera (lost) *Miadas, one-act heroic comedy (Paris, 1753) (lost) Orchestral music *Symphonie à double quatuor, presented at the Concert Spirituel in 1741, lost *Six simphonies, Op. 1, c. 1750 *Six simphonies, Op. 2, c. 1750 Chamber music *Six sonates en trio, for two violins or two flutes and bass, Op. 1 (c. 1740) *Premier livre de sonates pour le dessus de viole (c. 1750) *Second livre de