Henryk Wieniawski Lublin Philharmonic Orchestra
Aleksandra Kuls – violin
Wojciech Rodek – conductor
Programme:
R. Wagner – Rienzi: Overture
H. Wieniawski – Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22
R. Wagner – Tannhäuser: Overture
R. Wagner – Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman): Overture
R. Wagner – Tristan und Isolde (Tristan and Isolde): Prelude to Act 1 & "Liebestod"
Legendary Lublin-born violinist Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880) was one of the first Polish composers whose creative output became known and admired internationally. After studying the violin under Jan Hornziel and Stanisław Serwaczyński, aged 8 he went to France to pursue his musical education. At the age of 11, as the youngest ever graduate of the Parisian Conservatory he received the school's first prize and a gold medal as a token of recognition. At that moment he started his extensive professional career as a composer, which contributed significantly to his popularity as a virtuoso.
Wieniawski commenced his work on Violin Concerto No. 2 in 1855, however, it was not until 1862 that the composition was premiered under conductor Antoni Rubinstein. Op. 22 is a work of a mature independent; it is an autonomous piece, independent of influence and interference, characterised by a magnificent cantilena-like melody and elegance typical of the French school of composition. The solo part is not limited to virtuosity and showmanship - rather it is organically incorporated into the whole piece, establishing a partnership between the soloist and the orchestra, a cooperation of musicians.