François Joseph Gossec was born in Vergniès, Belgium, on January 17,
1734. After receiving some music instruction in his native town, he came
to Paris in 1751, and three years after that was attached to the musical
forces employed by La Pouplinière. For these concerts, Gossec wrote many
symphonies and chamber-music works. He later worked in a similar
capacity for the Prince de Conti. In 1770 he founded the Concerts des
Amateurs, in 1773 became director of the Concert Spirituel, and from
1780 to 1785 was conductor at the Paris Opéra. When the Paris
Conservatory was established in 1795 Gossec became Inspector and
professor of composition. In the same year he also became a member of
the newly founded Institut de France. During the French Revolution he
wrote many works celebrating events growing out of that political
upheaval, allying himself with the new regime. He lived to a ripe old
age, spending the last years of his life in retirement in Passy. He died
in Paris on February 16, 1829.
Gossec was a significant pioneer of French orchestral and chamber music,
though little of his music is remembered. What remains alive, however,
is a graceful trifle: the Gavotte, one of the most popular pieces ever
written in that form. This music comes from one of his operas, _Rosina_
(1786); a transcription for violin and piano by Willy Burmeister is
famous.