The peripatetic life and career of the Belgian composer Henry Vieuxtemps anticipated the European concept almost prophetically in the 19th century. The best example is his Élégie of 1848: written in St. Petersburg, it celebrated its greatest triumphs in Paris, was printed in Offenbach am Main, and enthusiastically reviewed in London.

Critics were quick to note the expressive contrasts as well as the bravura style of the coda, which was “elegant and at the same time brilliant”. Following the p...