Classical Music | Violin Music

Recorded on 04/24/2007, uploaded on 01/14/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

This is a program of interesting parallels and circular links. The focus is mid-nineteenth century Paris.  We open with a piece by Wieniawski, the Polish violinist who studied at the Paris Conservatory and who credits a meeting with Chopin as his inspiration for pursuing the craft of composition. We then move to Franck, who wrote a piece for his Belgian compatriot, Ysaÿe. Both composer and performer studied at the storied Parisian cultural mecca, Ysaÿe as a student of Wieniawski. In cyclic fashion, the recital closes with a beautiful Nocturne by Chopin. To draw one final parallel to the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, we present our newest Gold Medalist Augustin Hadelich, the recipient of prizes established under the artistic direction of our founder Josef Gingold, one of the most famous students of Eugène Ysaÿe. 

Polonaise de Concert in D Major, Op. 4                     Henryk Wieniawski

Polish violinist Henryk Wieniawski began his musical life as a child prodigy. Encouraged by his mother, a professional pianist, Wieniawski began violin lessons at the age of five. Often compared to Paganini, Wieniawski was an intensely expressive artist of great individuality. His small number of compositions pointed to his interest in a "national" style of Polish music. The earliest works, emphasizing technical difficulty and virtuoso effects, were composed for his own performances. This piece, originally accompanied by orchestra, was completed in 1852.  From the rhythmically energetic opening to the graceful melodies, the Polonaise hovers between heroism and melancholy.  

Notes by Catherine Partlow Strauss,

International Violin Competition of Indianapolis

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.