Jules de Swert

Jules de Swert (Louvain 1843 - Ostende 1891) was an important representative of the Belgian school of cellists. From 1857 he was a pupil of François Servais, known as the “Paganini of the cello” at the Brussels Conservatory. He was awarded a Premier Prix there in 1859. He went on to hold top posts as soloist or konzertmeister in Dusseldorf, Weimar, Berlin and Vienna. De Swert composed two cello concertos and numerous fantasies for cello and chamber ensembles. His Pensée Elégiaque was dedicated to the oldest son of François Servais, Joseph, also a famous virtuoso cellist, after his death in 1885. The atmosphere of this piece is one of meditative serenity.