Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)

1 Suite pour piano en forme de sonate, op.60 (1918)

2 Sonatine, op.88 (1929)

Georges Lonque (1900-1967)

3 Tableaux d’une chambre bleue, op. 43 (1952) (Beelden uit een blauwe kamer – Pictures of a blue room)

4 Nuit d’ automne, op.11 (1929) (Herfstnacht – Fall night)

5 Nocturne, op.45 (1955)

6 Danse espagnole, op.10 (1929) (Spaanse dans – Spanish dance)

7 Danse mauresque, op.29 (1942) (Moorse dans – Moorish dance)

8 Voilier, op.42 (1952) (Zeilboot – Sailing boat)

Joseph Jongen has been trained in the tradition of his fellow townsman César Franck, but gradually he crafted his own late-impressionist idiom, borrowing the subtle colours and the harmonic richness of French impressionism. His compositions are a synthesis of Germanic tradition and Gallic elegance. Georges Lonque ‘s work shares a number of characteristics with Jongen’s: impressionist colours, classical forms, broad lyrical vein. But for expressive purposes Lonque ventured, albeit somewhat gingerly, into more modern harmonies. Lonque’s compositions are a world premiere recording.

Pianist Hans Ryckelynck studied in Ghent and in Argenteuil at the Queen Elisabeth College of Music with Johan Duijck. In Paris het studied with Abdel Rahman El Bacha. Hans won different competitions and prizes and both as a soloist and in duo with the Japanese violinist Yuki Hori, he regularly performs in recitals in Europe and in Japan. His first CD solo recording (Phaedra 92027) was chosen ‘cd of the week’ by the Flemish Radio (VRT). The international press gave high praise to this recording. In December 2003 and April 2005 , he performed in the famous Tokyo Opera City Hall.On the occasion of his latest performance there, he presented the complete Brahms violin sonatas , which he recorded with violinist Yuki Hori (Phaedra 292017).

His recording together woth bass clarinet player Jan Guns (Phaedra 92043) was nominated as one of the ten best classical cds of the ye&ar 2005 by the magazine Trends. Hans Ryckelynck teaches at the Brussels Royal Conservatory of Music.