Henri Vieuxtemps

1820 - 1881

Vieuxtemps is yet another composer whose works were highly regarded in his lifetime but have rapidly faded from the concert repertoire in the years since his death.

Born in Verviers in Belgium young Henri was a child prodigy. By the age of 15 he had given concerts across Europe and studied under de Bériot in Brussels, Sechter in Vienna and Reicha in Paris.

His playing career was cut short by a stroke that tragically left him paralysed at the age of 53.

However by that time he had composed no fewer than 7 violin concerti (which were considered to be mould breaking) and developed a playing style that was widely admired and emulated subsequently.

The real tragedy of Vieuxtemps is the way his work has fallen from the repertoire. Below is one of his violin concerti, No 4 that illustrates some of the virtuoso playing that his brings out in performers.