Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Belgium

Birth

:

January 20, 1870 in Heusy

Death

:

January 21, 1894 in Angers, France

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Guillaume Lekeu was a Belgian composer who lived from 1870 to 1894. He was born in Verviers, a small town in the French-speaking part of Belgium. His father was a lawyer and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Lekeu showed a great interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He also showed a talent for composition, and by the age of ten, he had already written his first piece of music. Lekeu's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. They sent him to study at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he studied composition with the famous Belgian composer César Franck. Franck was a major influence on Lekeu's music, and he encouraged him to develop his own unique style. Lekeu's early works were heavily influenced by Franck's music, but he soon began to develop his own style. His music was characterized by its emotional intensity and its use of chromatic harmonies. He was also influenced by the music of Wagner and Debussy, and his music shows the influence of these composers as well. Lekeu's most famous work is his Violin Sonata in G Major, which he composed in 1892. The sonata is a masterpiece of late Romanticism, and it is considered one of the greatest works of Belgian music. The sonata is characterized by its emotional intensity and its use of chromatic harmonies. It is also notable for its use of cyclic form, in which themes from the first movement are repeated in the later movements. Lekeu's other major works include his Adagio for String Quartet, which he composed in 1891, and his Piano Quartet in B Minor, which he composed in 1894. The Adagio is a hauntingly beautiful piece of music, and it is often performed at funerals and other solemn occasions. The Piano Quartet is a more complex work, and it shows Lekeu's mastery of chamber music. Unfortunately, Lekeu's career was cut short by his untimely death at the age of 24. He died of typhoid fever in his hometown of Verviers. Despite his short career, Lekeu left behind a legacy of beautiful music that continues to be performed and admired today. His music is a testament to his talent and his dedication to the art of composition.

More....