(1858-1931)
Born in Liège on 10 July 1858, Eugène Ysaye studied in Liège, Brussels, and Paris. A violinist, composer, conductor, and teacher, Ysaye gave first performances of sonatas by César Franck, Guillaume Lakeu, and Ernest Chausson. He was a professor at the Conservatoire (1886-1898) and founded the Société symphonique des Concerts Ysaye in 1896. The Concerts Ysaye, which were held until 1923, introduced the works of César Franck to Belgium.
Ysaye wrote operas in the Walloon dialect. He died in Brussels on 12 May 1931. The Concours International Ysaye was created by Queen Elisabeth in 1937. It became the Concours International Reine Elisabeth in 1951.
See also Music.
Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Paul F. State.