Dear visitor,
Welcome to the web site of the Servais Society.
The Belgian cellist-composer François Servais (1807-1866) toured all over Europe. As one of the most important nineteenth-century cellist-composers, Servais contributed to the development of cello technique, and to the cello’s ‘emancipation’ as a solo instrument in its own right.
Today, his music is alive and kicking: his compositions are being studied, performed or listened, throughout the world.
Enjoy your visit!
The Servais Society
NEWS
Final Concert of the Cello Workshop on Sunday, April 19, 2026 – 5:00 p.m. - The participants of the sixth edition of the “Four Days of the Cello with Servais” will showcase what they have learned during the cello workshop at cc ’t Vondel. More information- 34th Servais Concert on Thursday, April 16, 2026 - The Tansman Quartet will perform together with Ann Van Hecke in the Council Hall of the New City Hall in Halle at the first evening of the 4 days cello workshop around Servais.More info
33rd Servais Concert – December 13, 2025 - Ukrainian cellist Aleksey Shadrin, fourth prize laureate of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition, joins his esteemed Russian teacher Leonid Gorokhov and pianist Salih Can Gevrek to bring Halle’s 800th anniversary celebrations to a festive close. The evening’s program features a rich selection of works by François Servais, Luigi Boccherini, Anton Arensky, and Leonid Gorokhov, performed in the stunning setting of St. Martin’s Basilica. more information
PUBLICATIONS
Servais Urtext Series - A lot of new Urtext editions of Servais’ works are available now: see the list.
François Servais, the Paganini of the Cello - François Servais (1807-1866) was a pioneering cellist, a European star and one of the founding fathers of the Belgian School of Cello Playing. This richly illustrated brochure enables the public to discover this multifacetted and remarkable Belgian musician. More info
Cyprien Godebski in Halle - About the life and works of Servais’ son-in-law Cyprien Godebski, with special attention to his connection to Halle and the works he made there. More info
Servais Urtext Series - The Servais Urtext Series present a number of Urtext editions of the most famous works by François Servais (1807-1866), made by Yuriy Leonovich in collaboration with the Servais Society. The printed versions can be ordered through the Servais Society. They are also available as digital download on https://yuriyleonovich.com/sheet-music-store
Cd Fantaisie de Servais - After 10 years Yutaka Hayashi has become a natural at Servais’ music and it was time for a cd. That cd contains no less than six compositions by Servais: four of his best known pieces – Souvenir de Spa, Le Carnaval de Venise, La Romanesca and La Fille du Régiment – and two duos on Der Freischütz and La Traviata. ...