The quartets of Vieuxtemps! This little spotlight on one of the facets of the famous 19th-century virtuoso on the occasion of his jubilee is a godsend. Because before becoming a soloist, the young Henri held from the age of 4 his violin part in a Sunday Quartet.

His generous patron, Mr Génin, had spotted the toddler in his father's violin workshop. This workshop was the only room to live with this modest family from Verviers. The mother, for keep his meager domain clean, accustomed tocalm your child's crying by putting on a tiny violin and a bow in his cradle. Despite the inappropriate size of the bow, the very young Henri was looking by all means harmonious sounds, like those coming from the violin his father. Then it all came together. Mr Génin, amazed by the the prodigies of Henri, put his fortune at the service of this modest family. A very pretty providence.

Mr Lecloux came to give daily lessons to the young violinist and very quickly the school of Rode, Kreutzer and Fiorillo replaced the dances and contredanses of the paternal repertoire. Henri was then 4 years old. All the days after the meal, Mr Génin came to play duets by Pleyel and Viotti with his little protege. And to complete this little musical cocoon, the Vieuxtemps family went every Sunday to the generous house of the protector where quartets were played by Pleyel. Henri was on the first violin, Mr Génin on the second.