Ysaye

Eugène Ysaÿe (1858 -1931) was a Belgian violinist, composer, and conductor whose artistry earned him the title "The King of the Violin." Born in Liège, he studied with Henri Vieuxtemps and Henryk Wieniawski, becoming one of the greatest virtuosos of the Franco-Belgian school.

Renowned for his flawless intonation, rich tone, and profound musical expression, Ysaÿe championed contemporary music throughout his career. He premiered César Franck's Violin Sonata (1886), dedicated to him as a wedding gift, and gave first performances of works by Debussy, Chausson, and others.

As a pedagogue at the Brussels Conservatoire and through private teaching, he influenced generations of violinists. His most enduring legacy is his Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27 (1923–24), each dedicated to a prominent violinist. These masterworks synthesise Bach's contrapuntal mastery with 20th-century harmonic language, remaining cornerstones of the solo violin repertoire alongside his other compositions including Caprice d'après l'Étude en forme de Valse and Les Neiges d'antan.