Belgian Cellist and Pedagogue Edmond Baert has Died, Aged 90

Baert was the former principal cellist of the Belgian National Orchestra

Born in 1934 in Belgium’s Charleroi region, Edmond Baert began learning the cello at age six, later studying and teaching at both the Royal Conservatory of Brussels (KCB) and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.

He served as principal cello in the Belgian National Orchestra and held a successful career in chamber music. His playing and teaching were often seen as a conduit between those of his generation and those who had played with musicians such as Eugène Ysaÿe.

After assisting his teacher Maurice Dambois in 1966, Baert succeeded him at the KCB. For about 30 years, Baert mentored numerous cellists and continued to teach beyond his retirement in 1997.

According to rtbf.be, Baert followed a set of main principles in teaching his students — first, to “ignite the flame” in students; and second, to cultivate listening skills through patience, clear instruction, efficiency, benevolence, and without verbosity. 

During his retirement in 1997 and his 80th birthday in 2014, concerts in his honor united many of his countless cello pupils and their own students. Baert divided his time between Brussels and the Médoc, and in June 2023, continued to audit classes at the KCB. 

“Today I pay tribute to my cello master Edmond Baert, who passed away yesterday,” composer and cellist Stijn Kuppens posted on Facebook. “He reached the age of 90, but he was forever young. He was my dear friend, I consider him family. I feel very lucky that I knew him, and he will continue to live through my playing and teaching. I feel deeply moved, and very sad that I won’t be able to hug him anymore … but the memories remain.”

Our condolences to Mr. Baert’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.

CÉSAR FRANCK | SONATA IN A MAJOR, FWV 8 (TRANSCRIBED FOR CELLO): I. ALLEGRETTO MODERATO | EDMOND BAERT | SERGE BÉMANT | 1994