Henri Wieniawski was born in Lublin, Poland, on July 10, 1835. When he
was eight he entered the Paris Conservatory, from which he was graduated
three years later with first prize in violin-playing, the first time
this institution conferred such an honor on one so young. Sensational
appearances as child prodigy followed throughout Europe. After an
additional period of study at the Paris Conservatory between 1849 and
1850, he initiated his career as a mature performer, and as one of the
world’s foremost violinists, with performances in Europe and Russia. In
1872 he toured the United States with the pianist, Anton Rubinstein.
Meanwhile, in 1859, he was appointed solo violinist to the Czar of
Russia, and from 1862 to 1867 he was professor of the violin at the St.
Petersburg Conservatory. In 1874 he succeeded Vieuxtemps as professor of
the violin at the Brussels Conservatory where he remained fourteen
years. He suffered a heart attack while performing in Berlin in 1878,
and died in Moscow on March 31, 1880.
Wieniawski produced a rich repertory of music for the violin which is
still performed extensively. This includes the famous Concerto in D
minor and many smaller compositions. Among the latter can be found
pieces which have become favorites with salon orchestra in
transcription. These, like other major works by the composer, are
characterized by broad and expressive melodies and brilliant technical
effects.
The _Kujawiak_, in A minor, op. 3 is a brilliant rhythmic number—a
spirited mazurka which derives its name from the fact that it has come
out of the Kuawy district of Poland. The _Légende_, op. 17, on the other
hand, is outstanding for its sentimental lyricism. This piece is an
eloquent song, originally for violin and orchestra, that seems to be
telling a romantic tale. The _Polonaise brillante_, in D major, op. 4,
like the _Kujawiak_, is a successful attempt to incorporate within a
concert work the characteristics of a popular Polish dance. This
composition is appealing for its sharp accentuations on the half beat,
syncopations, and brilliant passage work. The _Souvenirs of Moscow_
(_Souvenirs de Moscou_), op. 6, is a fantasia on famous Russian airs,
the most important of which is “The Red Sarafin.”