Henri Vieuxtemps

The works of the Belgian composer and violinist Henri Vieuxtemps (1820–1881) occupy an important place in the history of the violin. Vieuxtemps was always guided by true musicianship, never indulging in sheer virtuosity for its own sake. His seven violin concertos stand comparison with those of Saint-Saëns. Vieuxtemps also wrote shorter pieces for violin and orchestra, two cello concertos, а Duo Brillant for violin, cello, piano and orchestra, three string quartets and a viola sonata. Among the works he composed for his numerous concert tours of Europe and America are Souvenir de Russie, Caprice on 16th- and 17th-Century English Airs, etc. In 1843 at the age of 23, Henri Vieuxtemps left Europe for his first American tour. He toured America for six months, from Boston to New Orleans. But at times he felt disappointed that his virtuoso performances were not fully appreciated by American audiences. That is why early in the tour, he composed a brilliant set of variations on Yankee Doodle and, everywhere he played, this Souvenir d’Amérique was an enormous success.