I didn't know Jacques Brel by name but I when to check it out and the first YouTube suggestion was Ne me quittes pas and I recognize it, very sad and very beautiful indeed.
I found his music through Seasons in the Sun which is a rough translation of Brel's song Le moribond. Now I can't listen to the English version, it's worse in every way. His music can be very sad and also beautiful as you said. He was a very talented artist.