Feliks Janiewicz (1762-1848)
- Cinquième concerto (e-moll) à violon principal, deux violons, deux
alto,
basse, flûte, deux bassons, deux hautbois et deux cors (1804)
Performers: Zbigniew Pilch (violin); Musicae Antiquae Collegium
Varsoviense; Kai Bumann (1961-2022, conductor)
Further info: Concertos for violin and orchestra
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Polish violinist and composer. He probably received his initial training
in Warsaw, becoming a musician in the court orchestra of King Stanisław
August in 1777. In 1784 he decided to move to Vienna, where he
performed at various concerts for several years, and in 1787 he made his
debut at the Concerts spirituels in Paris. There he was also employed
in the orchestra of the duc d’Orléans. In 1792 he went to London, where
he appeared as violinist and composer, first at private concerts and
soon afterwards in public, mostly at Salomon’s concerts. His next London
appearances were apparently not until 1794. He also gave concerts in
other English cities, in Scotland and Ireland. In 1800 he married Miss
Eliza Breeze of Liverpool, where in 1801 he opened a 'Music, Musical
Instrument Warehouse', which traded until 1829; he also had a music shop
in London, 1810-12. In 1815 he moved to Edinburgh. He led the orchestra
in the first Edinburgh Festival in the same year and in subsequent
festivals (1819, 1824), and was an active teacher and organizer of
musical life. In February 1829 he gave his last public concert. As a
composer, his music is largely for his own instrument and consists of
five violin concertos and six trios for two violins and cello. The style
is reminiscent of Giovanni Battista Viotti. He left two talented
daughters, Felicia Janiewicz, a pianist, and Paulina Janiewicz, a
harpist.
