Presents

Eugene Walckiers

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String Quintet No.2 in c minor, Op.94

Eugène Walckiers was on friendly terms with the French composer George Onslow whose chamber music, especially his string quintets were quite popular throughout Europe. Most of Onslow’s quintets were for 2 cellos and not 2 violas. However, after hearing a performance of one of his quintets in which the famous bass virtuoso Dragonetti took the part of the second cello, Onslow started writing quintets for either two cellos or cello and bass. No doubt, it was this which gave Walckiers the idea to write a string quintets which could be played by cello and bass or two cellos. The String Quintet No.2 in c minor dates from 1862 and is dedicated to the memory of his friend George Onslow. The opening movement begins with a slightly ominous Adagio introduction which leads then to a very lovely, melancholy Moderato espresso. The second movement is an energetic and strongly accented Scherzo allegretto with a contrasting and somewhat orchestral sounding trio section. Next comes a deeply felt Andante religioso. The finale, Allegro vivace, begins with a dance, vaguely Spanish sounding, with an echo effect. Later there is a noble maestoso, perhaps a tribute to his friend Onslow.  

Eugène Walckiers (1793-1866) was born in the Belgian town of Avesnes-sur-Helpe. He studied flute with Jean-Louis Tulou and composition with Anton Reicha in Paris. Most of his compositions included the flute. He wrote a great deal of chamber music, including trios with flute and cello, flute quartets, piano quintets with flute and so forth. These compositions were admired by Rossini, Meyerbeer and other prominent contemporaries of Walckiers and were much in demand during his lifetime. Toward the end of his life, he concentrated on chamber music works for strings or strings and piano.