Walckiers studied composition with Anton Reicha, who also taught famous composers like George Onslow, Hector Berlioz, Charles Gounod, and Franz Liszt.
Composer Biography
Eugène Walckiers, the composer, lost his father at age 10, who had financially ruined the family through speculative transactions.
Compositional Technique
Walckiers' Quintets No. 2 and No. 4 feature disproportionately long first movements, followed by a light, dance-like movement and a furious finale.
Recording & Production
The fabergé-quintett, the ensemble on this album, won the ECHO Klassik Award in 2014 for 'Chamber Music Recording of the Year' for their CD of string quintets by Adolphe Blanc.
Composition History
The four string quintets by Walckiers, including those on this album, were written for professional musicians and are demanding in all parts.
Album & Artwork
The cover art for this album, titled 'Crape Myrtle - Drawing II', is a drawing by Rieko Hidaka.
Composer Biography
Walckiers and his brother Antoine were drafted into Napoleon's army as military musicians in 1813, both surviving the campaign that ended with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
