Henri Vieuxtemps

Cantilena

The Belgian violinist Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) was one of the greatest virtuosi of his time, and alongside giving concerts, an important role was also played in his life by composition and teaching. He made an important contribution to the creation of the French school of violin playing, and during the few years he spent at the conservatoire in St Petersburg he also had a great influence on Russian violin playing. Jen Hubay (1858-1937) visited the great musician while he was living in Paris, and the maestro took on the talented youth as a pupil. Later, after Vieuxtemps's death, Hubay took over his predecessor's teaching post at the conservatoire in Brussels. Vieuxtemps' piece entitled Cantilena, contained in this volume, was arranged by Hubay for concert performance.