Wieniawski, Henryk (1835–1880)

Polish violinist and composer. He travelled widely, studying in Paris, then settling in St Petersburg, and later teaching in Brussels. He was a celebrated violinist and composed spirited Romantic pieces for the violin, notably his second violin concerto in D minor.

Wieniawski was sent to the Paris Conservatory at the age of eight, and in 1846 made his first tour, in Poland and Russia. From 1850 he travelled with his brother Józef and in 1860 was appointed solo violinist to the Tsar, living in St Petersburg most of his time until 1872, when he toured the USA with Anton Rubinstein. In 1875 he succeeded Henry Vieuxtemps as first violin professor at the Brussels Conservatory. Towards the end of his life he travelled again, in spite of serious ill-health which caused his sudden death in Russia.

Works Orchestral two violin concertos (1853, 1862).

Other Souvenir de Moscou, Le carnaval russe, Légende and numerous other pieces, fantasies and studies for violin.