François Joseph Gossec: Pioneer of the French Symphony and Revolutionary Composer
Belgian-born French composer of the Classical era, crucial figure in the development of the symphony and string quartet in France, and prominent composer during the French Revolution.Born in Vergnies, Hainaut (then Austrian Netherlands, now Belgium).Moved to Paris in 1751, working for La Pouplinière and studying with Rameau.Founded the Concert des Amateurs (1769), a crucial orchestra for promoting new symphonic music.Appointed director of the Royal School of Singing (later part of the Paris C...