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Composer

Henryk Wieniawski

1835 — 1880

About

Concerts and Operas

Violin on Stage – Bomsori in Warsaw
Wieniawski & Waxman
Concert55 Min
Waldbühne 2002: World Encores – with Vadim Repin & Mariss Jansons
Waldbühne 2002
Concert92 Min

Albums

Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No.3 / Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No.2
Itzhak Perlman, Orchestre de Paris, Daniel Barenboim

Appears On

Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon & Decca
Itzhak Perlman
Paganini: 24 Caprices — Caprices by Berlioz, Cervelló, Kreisler, Ortiz, Saint-Saëns, Sarasate, Wieniawski
María Dueñas
Beethoven and Beyond
María Dueñas, Wiener Symphoniker, Manfred Honeck
Stojowski & Wieniawski: Violin Concertos (Hyperion Romantic Violin Concerto 20)
Bartłomiej Nizioł, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz
Romance Oubliée
Tabea Zimmermann, Thomas Hoppe
Carmen-Fantasie
Anne-Sophie Mutter, Wiener Philharmoniker, James Levine
Liebesfreud Liebesleid – Homage to Fritz Kreisler
Christian Ferras, Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler, Gidon Kremer, Shlomo Mintz, Anne-Sophie Mutter, David Oistrakh, Ruggiero Ricci
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Op.35 / Wieniawski: Etude-Caprices Nos.2, 4 & 5 / Sarasate: Navarra, Op.33
David Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden, Franz Konwitschny

AboutHenryk Wieniawski

Contemporaries knew Henryk Wieniawski principally as a dazzling violinist, and it is for his violin music that he's best known today. He was born in Lublin, Poland (then part of the Russian Empire) and there was never any doubt about his skill on the violin – to general astonishment, he was admitted to the Paris Conservatoire at the age of eight. By the age of 13 he was touring Europe and his later career took him from St Petersburg to California. With his brooding expression and dapper goatee and moustache, he cut a dashing figure. But success started to take its toll, and his weight ballooned (the student Tchaikovsky, borrowing Wieniawski's tailcoat for a concert, found it so big as to be unwearable). He collapsed and died of heart failure at the St Petersburg home of Tchaikovsky's patroness Nadezhda von Meck in March 1880, aged only 44. But his legacy continues to challenge and delight violinists: salon music and virtuoso showpieces based on operatic melodies and Polish folk themes; the brooding Légende (c. 1860); and above all his two brilliant, impassioned Violin Concertos (1852 and 1862) which combine virtuoso fireworks with a lyrical, unmistakably Polish sensibility.

The Exceptional Works and Legacy of Henryk Wieniawski

Henryk Wieniawski (1835–1880) is celebrated today as one of the most extraordinary violinists of his era and a composer whose works continue to be central to the violin repertoire. Born in Lublin, then part of the Russian Empire and now Poland, Wieniawski demonstrated exceptional talent early on. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the unprecedented age of eight and graduated with the first prize in violin at eleven, a record at the time. By age thirteen, he was already touring Europe, captivating audiences with his technical virtuosity and expressive playing.

Early Life and Fame: Wieniawski's Entry into Music

Wieniawski's entry into the world of music was marked by his prodigious talent. His early admission into the Paris Conservatoire and his graduation with top honors in violin set the stage for his future success. His fame spread quickly as he began touring Europe at a young age, impressing audiences with his technical skill and emotional depth.

Signature Compositions and Style

Wieniawski's music combined flamboyant virtuoso display with deep lyricism and a distinctly Polish character. His compositional output, though relatively small, has left an enduring mark on violin literature. He wrote two celebrated violin concertos, Violin Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 14 (1853) and Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22 (1862). Both works are lauded for their passionate melodies, technical fireworks, and unmistakable Polish sensibility, and are considered cornerstones of the Romantic violin repertoire.

His composition, Légende, Op. 17, composed around 1860, is one of his best-known works, showcasing his gift for melody and emotional depth. Wieniawski's salon music and bravura pieces, such as the Polonaise Brillante and Scherzo-Tarantelle, are favorites among violinists for their demanding technique and vibrant character. These often draw inspiration from Polish folk themes and operatic melodies. His etudes and caprices, including those also featured alongside works by Paganini and Sarasate, challenge violinists with their technical brilliance and imaginative writing.

Legacy and Influence

Wieniawski's influence on the world of classical music is undeniable. He was regarded as the reincarnation of Paganini in his time. His exceptional works and notable performances have left an indelible mark on the violin repertoire, making him one of the most famous violinists of the 19th century. His music continues to inspire and challenge violinists today, solidifying his lasting legacy in the world of classical music.