Beethoven Academie - William Conway - Spiegel Strijkkwartet

A great admirer of Bach and Beethoven, the young Guillaume Lekeu (1870-1894) wrote his first compositions at the age of fifteen. A few years later, in 1889, he met César Franck, who was to become his mentor, in Paris. Although Franck died a year later, he was still able to hugely stimulate Lekeu's composing. The moving 'Adagio' that Lekeu wrote shortly after Franck's death can be seen as an emotional tribute to his teacher. The 1892 'Larghetto' for cello and mixed ensemble of strings and wind also has the same melodious atmosphere in which French elegance is linked to the spirit of Beethoven and Wagner. With the work he commissioned from Lekeu, the notorious Sonata for violin and piano, the world-renowned violin virtuoso Eugène Ysaÿe (1858-1931) continued to turn the spotlight on his compatriot's music. Ysaÿe's own composition, 'Les harmonies du soir', is an exceptionally delicate and gentle piece. It is a suitable step towards Beethoven's Eighth Symphony, an unusual work almost entirely lacking in unruliness and aggression. Its strikingly classical style and untroubled jollity makes it an untypical Beethoven symphony, which is perhaps why it is the least often performed.