Feliks Janiewicz: Violin Concerto No.3 in A Major

Feliks Janiewicz

(Vilnius 1762 – 21 May 1848 Edinburgh) was a Polish composer and violinist in exile.

Violin Concerto No.3 in A Major

I. Allegro 10:04

II. Adagio 05:53
III. Rondo 06:39

 

Already in his early youth he attained a high level of violin playing. In the years 1777-1784 he was a member of the royal chapel in Warsaw; he took part in concerts, operas and ballets, balls and receptions. In 1784 he obtained a royal grant, and probably went to Western Europe. It is presumed Janiewicz stayed in Nancy in 1784. In 1785 he stayed in Vienna, where he made contact with Haydn and Mozart. He likely took composition lessons with the former, and the second dedicated his Andante for violin and orchestra (KV 470, the second version of the second movement of the Violin Concerto in D major KV 218) to him.
In 1792, probably at the invitation J.P. Salomon (German violinist, composer, conductor, musical impresario and concert organiser) he went to the UK. He publicly performed in London for the first time on February 1792 at a benefit concert for V. Jirovec under the direction of Solomon. In addition to regular concert appearances he took part in many benefit concerts for leading musicians (including Haydn, 3rd May 1792).
From the beginning of his stay in England, Feliks Janiewicz undertook many trips as a concert violinist and orchestra leader. He performed in Bath, in Ireland, in Manchester, in Liverpool, and in Edinburgh. On October 12, 1799 he married Eliza Breeze and settled in Liverpool, where he led an active musical life being orchestra director at the festivals for many seasons. He was director of the orchestra subscription concerts, and in 1819, 1820 and 1822 he organized his own concert series of instrumental music. In 1813, he was one of the thirty founders of the Philharmonic Society in London, with whom he collaborated until 1815, as one of the leaders of the orchestra.
In 1815 he moved to Edinburgh, where he developed a concert career, including participation in festivals (1815, 1819 and 1824), he led the orchestra of the subscription concerts and organized (from 1816) his own concert series. During this time he also performed in other cities in Scotland (including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee) and Ireland.
In 1831 Janiewicz retired from the concert platform. There is a lack of information concerning the last period of his life. He is buried at Warriston Cemetery in Edinburgh.