Élégie op. 30

The peripatetic life and career of the Belgian composer Henry Vieuxtemps anticipated the European concept almost prophetically in the 19th century. The best example is his Élégie of 1848: written in St. Petersburg, it celebrated its greatest triumphs in Paris, was printed in Offenbach am Main, and enthusiastically reviewed in London.

Critics were quick to note the expressive contrasts as well as the bravura style of the coda, which was “elegant and at the same time brilliant”. Following the publication of the Sonata op. 36 (HN 577), the Élégie op. 30 now takes its place among Vieuxtemps’ viola works for the first time in an Urtext edition. Tabea Zimmermann was once again entrusted with the bowings; the preface was written by the Vieuxtemps specialist Marie Cornaz.