Presents

Eugene Walckiers

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String Quintet No.4 in A Major, Op.108

The Opus 108 quintet is rich in its thematic variety and beauty. It was composed at a time when salon culture was highly valued in bourgeois circles and famous figures of cultural life, such as the Paris-based Gioacchino Rossini or the French double bass virtuoso Achille Gouff, organized chamber music soires that were considered legendary. Walckiers was regarded in Gouff's salons as one of the most highly revered then living chamber music composers. While his chamber music can not be described as modern or ahead of its time and yet it was not outdated. It was composed and published shortly before his death. It was dedicated to the violinist Emile Magnin, who was a member of one of the most famous professional ensembles of its time, the Society Alard-Franchomme. The Quintet is full of fireworks, changes of moods and ideas which make it dazzling as well as thrilling. The main theme to the opening movement, Allegro ma non troppo, is genial and flows along effortlessly. It is interrupted by exciting fast passage work from time to time. The second movement is a sad and very Spanish sounding, Menuetto, moderato. It perfectly captures mood and feel of that country. Next comes a lovely Andante cantabile. The lively finale, Allegro, in 6/8 is a toe-tapping affair and brings this appealing work to close.

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.

A fine choice for concert, this quintet gives ample evidence of Walckier's extraordinary gift for melody.