Composer. Born in Verviers, Belgium, he studied at the Paris Conservatory and placed second in its 1891 Prix de Rome competition. He also studied privately with Cesar Franck and Vincent D'Indy, who were so impressed with his natural ability that they introduced him to several influential music figures. In 1893, the famous violinist Eugene Ysaye commissioned two chamber works from him, a Violin Sonata and a Piano Quartet. The Sonata is a work of genius and remains a staple of the violin repertory. He completed only the first movement of the Quartet. In October 1893 Lekeu fell ill after eating contaminated sherbert, and never recovered; he died of typhoid one day after his 24th birthday. His Quartet was finished by D'Indy. Lekeu left around 50 unpublished student compositions. Some have been performed and recorded, but his fame will continue to rest on the Violin Sonata - and the unfulfilled promise it represents. After hearing it an American critic wrote that Lekeu's early death was a loss "more tragic than that of Schubert or Pergolesi."
Composer. Born in Verviers, Belgium, he studied at the Paris Conservatory and placed second in its 1891 Prix de Rome competition. He also studied privately with Cesar Franck and Vincent D'Indy, who were so impressed with his natural ability that they introduced him to several influential music figures. In 1893, the famous violinist Eugene Ysaye commissioned two chamber works from him, a Violin Sonata and a Piano Quartet. The Sonata is a work of genius and remains a staple of the violin repertory. He completed only the first movement of the Quartet. In October 1893 Lekeu fell ill after eating contaminated sherbert, and never recovered; he died of typhoid one day after his 24th birthday. His Quartet was finished by D'Indy. Lekeu left around 50 unpublished student compositions. Some have been performed and recorded, but his fame will continue to rest on the Violin Sonata - and the unfulfilled promise it represents. After hearing it an American critic wrote that Lekeu's early death was a loss "more tragic than that of Schubert or Pergolesi."
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Advertisement
See more Lekeu memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
