Concert baroque — Musique, temps et révolutions (1974)

Authors : Alejo Carpentier

Genres : roman

Original language : espagnol

Editions

  • Fondo de Cultura Económica (Mexique), 1974 es
  • Gallimard, coll. Du monde entier, 1976 fr
  • Gallimard, coll. Folio n°1020, 1978 fr
    ISBN 9782070294077

Concert baroque (1974)

Concert baroque (Concierto barroco) is the seventh novel by Alejo Carpentier, published in 1974. The plot is set in Madrid during the final years of the reign of Philip IV (late 17th century). An Austrian young musician, Leopoldo Vielli, arrives in Madrid to perform before the king. In his case, he carries a score that will trigger a series of political and religious conspiracies.

The novel is an exploration of the baroque theme in all its senses: baroque music (Vivaldi, Monteverdi), baroque aesthetics in Latin American art and literature, and the baroque of history itself — an empire collapsing under its own contradictions. Carpentier interweaves a political intrigue (conspiracies against King Philip IV) with reflections on music, dance, and artistic creation.

Concert baroque is often described as a « late masterpiece » and remains one of the most complex novels in Carpentier’s repertoire. The novel was adapted to film by Miguel Littín in 1974 (Concierto barroco).

Sources