Claes, Adolphe

Eline Jans (translation: Jasmien Dewilde)

(Jean-)Adolphe Claes was the oldest of three sons of Guillaume III Claes (1752-1841) and Anne Elisabeth Bosch (1753-1834). His brothers, (Maurice) Ulysse Claes and (Guillaume VI) Louis were four and eight years younger, respectively.

Father Guilaume was an important business man in Hasselt and the owner of both the Herkenrode Abbey and the castle of Alden Biesen. In addition to his commercial career (as a lawyer) and political career (as a mayor), Guillaume III was also very involved in developing the cultural scene in Hasselt. Adolphe and his brothers followed in their father’s footsteps. Adolphe was also a lawyer, but in addition he composed pieces for various arrangements. Adolphe was in touch with the cello virtuoso and composer Adrien-François Servais. In one of his letters to Claes in 1843, Servais asked whether Jules Lardin, an amateur musician and a friend of his, could stay with Adolphe for a couple of days during his visit to Belgium. He must have also kept in touch with the violin virtuoso and educator Maurice Leenders to whom he dedicated his 2me Divertissement ou duo concertant pour violon et piano, op. 48.

Adolphe Claes composed multiple trios for piano, violin and cello. He also composed pieces for violin and piano: Trois morceaux caractéristique, 2me divertissement ou duo concertante, op. 48 en Morceau de salon en forme de valse brillante avec introduction, op. 49. On top of that he has also wrote compositions for wind orchestra, such as Pas redoublé and Valentine – Polka. He also composed mélodies with titles like Le naufrage and Le retour du marin.

Adolphe died in 1857 at the age of 73 in Hasselt.