Henryk Wieniawski
Polish composer, violinist and teacher Henryk Wieniawski was born in Lublin on 10 July 1835. His talents on the violin were recognised early, and he studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Joseph Lambert Massart, then began touring, often accompanied by his brother on piano.
His output as a composer was quite small. His first work, a Grand Caprice Fantastique, was written whilst he was still a student. His Légende Op 17 helped him to persuade the parents of the woman he loved to allow them to marry.
Anton Rubinstein invited Wieniawski to move to St Petersburg, where he then lived for twelve years, leading the orchestra and string quartet of the Russian Musical Society and teaching violin. Rubinstein and Wieniawski toured the USA from 1872-74, and after this, Wieniawski became professor of violin at the Brussels Royal Conservatoire.
Wieniawski died in Moscow on 31 March 1880, aged forty-four, after failing to complete a Russian tour.
A selection of articles about Henryk Wieniawski
Spotlight. A Winning Personality - Gerald Fenech strongly recommends music by Eugène Ysaÿe on the Avie Records label. '... passionate intensity and inspired brilliance ...'
Profile. The Self-Assured Conductor - Anett Fodor tells the story of Arthur Nikisch, from his Hungarian roots to international acclaim
CD Spotlight. Spirit of a Nation - Gerald Fenech is impressed by music of nineteenth century Polish composers Henryk Wieniawski, Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński and Karol Kurpiński. '... both players and soloists surpass themselves with passionate renditions ...'
Ensemble. A Remarkable Partnership - Mike Wheeler listens to music for violin and piano by Mozart, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski/Gounod and Debussy/Heifetz from Emmanuel Bach and Jennifer Hughes