Eugène Ysaye

Born July 16, 1858, in Liège; died May 12, 1931, in Brussels. Belgian violinist and composer.

Ysaye studied under H. Vieuxtemps and H. Wieniawski. From 1879 to 1883 he was the concertmaster of the symphonic orchestra of B. Bilse in Berlin. He was greatly influenced by A. G. Rubinstein, with whom he toured Norway and Sweden in 1881. Ysaye made a concert tour of Russia in 1882 and 1883, performing there almost annually until 1912. He became a professor at the Brussels Conservatory in 1886. He founded a string quartet and the symphonic society Ysaye Concerts and served as their conductor from 1894. Ysaye was well-known for his interpretations of classical works and of contemporary French and Belgian music. He wrote compositions for violin (including six sonatas for solo violin) and the opera Peter the Miner (premiere 1927). He also did musical transcription and editing. The Eugene Ysaye International Competitions for violinists (1937) and pianists (1938) were held in Brussels.