Eugène Ysaÿe

Eugène Ysaÿe was one of the greatest violinists who ever lived. He coupled beauty of tone and remarkable technical ability with a depth of musical expression that few violinists before or since can be said to have equalled, or even approached. Ysaÿe succeeded in breathing new life into an art that had become polarized by two divergent styles and personalities: the austere temperament of Joseph Joachim (1831-1907), and the flashy virtuosity of Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908). Ysaÿe achieved a grand synthesis of these two approaches and became the leading violinist of his time, spawning many illustrious pupils and proteges. Ysaÿe was also an accomplished composer, whose Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, Op. 27 (1924) are recognized masterpieces of the genre.