Recommended Sheet Music, New Publications by Henri Vieuxtemps

Henri François Joseph Vieuxtemps was a Belgian composer and one of the most important violin virtuosos of the nineteenth century. As well as being a composer and performer, he was also a distinguished teacher; from 1864 he taught at the Paris Conservatoire, and from 1871 at the Brussels Conservatoire, where he tutored the acclaimed violinist Eugène Ysaÿe. Vieuxtemps was an important figure within the Franco-Belgian violin school during the mid-19th century and he played a key role in the development of the concerto form; in total he composed ten violin, and two cello concertos. Thanks to Edition Kunzelmann, two of Vieuxtemps' previously unavailable works, Violin Concerto in E major, Op. 5 and Rákóczi March in A minor, are available in their first ever printing. A full score, and a piano reduction option are available for both pieces, with additional performance material also available to hire from the publisher.

You can find out more about these works below, or browse all of our Henri Vieuxtemps publications here.

Violin Concerto in E major, Op. 5

At the age of fifteen, and several years before his other, more recognisable violin concertos, Henri Vieuxtemps wrote the Violin Concerto in E major, Op. 5. Although it is his first violin concerto, this ingenious work already reveals some of the special qualities that are characteristic of his later major compositions. The concerto consists of three movements; the third movement, Rondo, is particularly well suited as a stand-alone piece. A technically very demanding and varied work, this concerto is perfect for showcasing violin virtuosity.

Rákóczi March in A minor

In the nineteenth century the Rákóczi March was a strong symbol for the Hungarian struggle for independence from the Austrian monarchy, commemorating the uprising of Franz II Rákóczi against Habsburg rule. Based on a song traced back to the mid seventeenth century, it was long considered an unofficial national anthem of Hungary.

Vieuxtemps' version of the march predates that of Berlioz's (which became part of the iconic Le Damnation de Faust) from 1846. Vieuxtemps wrote his interpreation in 1843, and he immediately premiered it in Pest with great success. However, the concerts ended in a scandal, and as a result the composer avoided the city for twenty-three years and remained in the family archives unprinted.

The piano reduction, edited by Olaf Adler, incorporates the influence of Ferenc Erkel, as no piano reduction by Vieuxtemps himself exists. As the orchestra is intended to play such a strong role in the piece, the piano version should be understood as a lively work of chamber music, and not like a typical virtuoso concerto.

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