Musicians - Guillaume Lekeu

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	Musicians - Guillaume Lekeu

Guillaume Lekeu (January 20 1870 – January 21 1894) was a Belgian (Wallon) composer of classical music.

Life

Lekeu, who was born in Verviers, took his first lessons at the conservatory in Verviers. In 1879, his parents moved to Poitiers. There, he finished school while he continued his music studies autodidactically. At the age of 15, he composed his first piece.

In 1888, his family settled down in Paris where Lekeu became a student of César Franck. After Franck's death, Vincent d'Indy became his new teacher.

In 1891, he obtained a second Second Prix de Rome for his cantata Andromède.

The famous violin virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe asked him for a violin sonata. Ysaÿe played this composition for the first time in March 1893. The violin sonata is still Lekeu's most popular piece. At the age of 23, Lekeu fell ill with typhoid fever and died in Angers only one day after his 24th birthday. He was buried in a suburb of Verviers.

Compositions

Lekeu composed about 50 pieces. Today, most of them can be found in the archives of several conservatories. His style shows influences of César Franck, Richard Wagner and Ludwig van Beethoven. He used cyclic principles. In general, he is regarded as a highly talented composer who died far too young.

Works for orchestra
* Première étude symphonique (1889)
* Deuxième étude symphonique (1889)
* Adagio pour quartet d'orchestre (1891)
* Fantasy on two folktunes from Angers (1892)
* Introduction and Adagio for brass band (1892)
Vocal Music
* Andromède, poème lyrique et symphonique for soloists, choir and orchestra (1891)
* Chant lyrique for choir and orchestra (1891)
* songs
Chamber Music
* String Quartet in G major (1888)
* Piano Quartet in B minor (1892/93, completed by d'Indy)
* Piano Trio in C minor (1890/91)
* Violin Sonata in G major (1892/93)
* Cello Sonata in F minor (1888)
* Piano Sonata in G minor (1891)

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