Heritage

As artists, we are constantly fuelled by "spontaneous" inspiration, drawn from places, atmospheres, and of course, from encounters with other artists, whether through their work or books about them. The Belgian violinist, composer, and conductor Eugène Ysaÿe, for example, has always been one of my guiding lights. Best known for his six sonatas for solo violin, he was a truly extraordinary character.
​This man of legendary panache and charisma started from nothing. Born into a humble family, he rose to the highest echelons of society, counting Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, to whom he taught the violin, among his close acquaintances. A cosmopolitan, multilingual, and immensely cultured man, he championed many composers of his time, including the most celebrated figures such as Debussy, Franck, and Chausson.
​His playing was described as angelic, and all who heard him were captivated by his virtuosity and bewitching style. Far more than a mere virtuoso, Ysaÿe represented the pinnacle of the Franco-Belgian school of violin playing. He left an impressive legacy, including his compositions—one of which is an opera in the Walloon dialect—and also established himself as a leading conductor. He was even in the running against the phenomenal Arthur Nikisch to become the conductor of the New York Philharmonic, a post he ultimately declined, though he did go on to found the Cincinnati Orchestra.
​A legendary epicurean, Ysaÿe regularly hosted gastronomic and musical weekends in the countryside. One of the most mythical of these evenings was a performance of Franck's Quintet, with the composer himself in attendance. The ensemble featured Jacques Thibaut on first violin, Fritz Kreisler on second, Ysaÿe on viola, Pablo Casals on cello, and Arthur Rubinstein at the piano. What more is there to say?
​But what draws me to him even more is that he conducted Bruckner's 9th Symphony in Brussels in 1908 (in the Löwe version). This is all the more remarkable when one considers how little-known Bruckner was in French-speaking countries at the time. It is a testament not only to his exceptional musical taste but also to his discerning judgement and extraordinary artistic vision.