Ysaÿe, Eugène(-Auguste)

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Ysaÿe, Eugène(-Auguste) (b Liège, 1858; d Brussels, 1931). Belg. violinist, conductor, and composer. Leader of Bilse's orch., Berlin, 1879–81. Toured Russia and Scandinavia with Anton Rubinstein 1882. Lived in Paris 1883–6, forming close ties with Franck, Chausson, Fauré, Saint-Saëns, and Debussy. Prof. of vn., Brussels Cons., 1886–98. Formed Ysaÿe Qt. 1886, giving f.p. of Debussy's str. qt. 1893. Founded and cond. Ysaÿe concerts, Brussels. London début 1889. Amer. début 1894. Played many new works, incl. Franck vn. sonata (ded. to him) and Elgar conc. (but never in Eng.). Cond. Cincinnati SO 1918–22. One of most remarkable virtuosi of his day, with powerful tone. Wrote 6 vn. concs., several solo vn. sonatas, Variations on a Theme of Paganini, and other pieces. Also wrote opera in Walloon dialect.

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Eugene Ysaye

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