André-Joseph Blavier (baptized 29 December 1713 – 30 November 1782) was a Flemish composer, and director of the choir of

Antwerp Cathedral The Cathedral of Our Lady () is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today's seat of the Diocese of Antwerp started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been 'completed'. It was construct ...

Life

Blavier was born in

Liège Liège ( ; ; ; ; ) is a City status in Belgium, city and Municipalities in Belgium, municipality of Wallonia, and the capital of the Liège Province, province of Liège, Belgium. The city is situated in the valley of the Meuse, in the east o ...

, and was appointed music master there at St Peter's Church. In 1737 he was chosen to succeed Joseph-Hector Fiocco at

, directing and training the cathedral choir.Bertil H. Van Boer. ''Historical Dictionary of Music of the Classical Period''
Scarecrow Press, 2012. Page 86. He sang with a tenor voice, and played keyboard, violin and cello. Among his compositions was a Mass in D, for four voice parts with string accompaniment, dedicated to the

chapter Chapter or Chapters may refer to: Books * Chapter (books), a main division of a piece of writing or document * Chapter book, a story book intended for intermediate readers, generally age 7–10 * Chapters (bookstore), Canadian big box bookstore ...

in 1741; this work has survived. A member of the cathedral choir in his charge was the future composer

François-Joseph Gossec François-Joseph Gossec (; 17 January 1734 – 16 February 1829) was a French composer of operas, string quartets, symphonies, and choral works. Life and work The son of a small farmer, Gossec was born at the village of Vergnies, then a French ...

. Unable to marry under the terms of his employment, Blavier left the cathedral on his marriage, and in 1768 became singing teacher at St Andrew's Church in Antwerp. He died in 1782, predeceased by several of his children and his wife, and was buried at St Andrew's Church.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blavier, André-Joseph 1713 births 1782 deaths Musicians from the Prince-Bishopric of Liège Flemish composers Classical composers of church music