Henri Vieuxtemps (1820-1881) was a Belgian violinist and composer, one of the leading virtuosos of the nineteenth century. Born in Verviers, he studied and performed across Europe and became a central figure in the Franco-Belgian violin school.

His works include seven violin concertos, chamber music and many shorter pieces for violin. The Fifth Violin Concerto is among his most frequently performed works.

Vieuxtemps’s music is brilliant, lyrical and thoroughly idiomatic, combining virtuoso display with a more serious symphonic ambition than many showpieces of the period.

As performer, teacher and composer, he helped shape modern violin playing. Vieuxtemps’s best music gives the violin a grand staircase and then lets it climb at speed.