Lekeu: L'oeuvre pour quatuor à cordes

Album Description

"Lekeu: L'oeuvre pour quatuor à cordes" is a captivating journey into the world of chamber music, showcasing the remarkable talent of Guillaume Lekeu, a Belgian composer whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 24. This album, released in 2013, is a testament to Lekeu's prodigious gift, featuring his complete works for string quartet.

The album spans a total of nine tracks, with a duration of one hour and three minutes, offering a comprehensive exploration of Lekeu's string quartet compositions. The centerpiece of the album is Lekeu's String Quartet in G Major, a work that reveals his deep understanding of the genre and his ability to craft intricate, expressive music. The quartet is performed by the renowned Quatuor Debussy, whose impeccable technique and musicality bring Lekeu's compositions to life.

The album begins with "Molto adagio sempre cantante doloroso," a hauntingly beautiful piece that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The String Quartet in G Major follows, with each movement showcasing Lekeu's unique voice and his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. The album concludes with "Meditation" and "Menuet," two shorter pieces that provide a fitting finale to this remarkable collection.

"Lekeu: L'oeuvre pour quatuor à cordes" is a significant addition to any classical music lover's collection, offering a rare opportunity to discover the works of a composer who, despite his short life, left behind a legacy of beautiful, enduring music. The album was released under the Timpani label and has been recognized with several distinctions, including a "Choc de Classica" and a "Diapason 5" award, further cementing its place in the chamber music canon.

1 maart 2013

2013 Timpani

About Guillaume Lekeu

Guillaume Lekeu, a Belgian composer of profound promise, left an indelible mark on the world of classical music despite his tragically short life. Born in Heusy, near Verviers, in 1870, Lekeu began his musical journey at the tender age of six, studying piano and violin under the tutelage of Alphonse Voss. His family's move to Poitiers in 1879 opened new avenues for his musical education, where he continued to hone his skills in violin, piano, and cello. By the age of 15, Lekeu was already composing prolifically, and his talent soon caught the attention of esteemed composers César Franck and Vincent d'Indy, under whom he further refined his craft.

Lekeu's compositions, though few in number due to his untimely death at the age of 24 from typhoid fever, are marked by a maturity and depth that belied his young age. His most renowned work, the Violin Sonata in G Major, composed in 1892-93 and dedicated to the renowned violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, showcases his mastery of chamber music and his unique voice as a composer. Lekeu's music, characterized by its emotional intensity and technical brilliance, continues to captivate audiences and musicians alike, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary potential that was cut short by his premature passing.