Tag: Henryk Wieniawski

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Classical Music Lutherie

The 15th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition

This past week was the 15th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition held in Poznan, Poland. I love watching and listening to the competing violins, seeing if I can tell any nuances that make them the best. Of course, I am far from an expert compared to those that are judging the instruments.

I wish that I could enjoy the entire competition live, but there are a lot of factors that are against me. First, it is during the evening in Poland, so it is broadcast in the afternoon here in Detroit, so I can only catch bits and pieces while I am at work, Fortunately, the entire stream is posted on the Wieniawski Society YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@WieniawskiSociety). When I do catch a bit at work, I have to keep it really low volume, as earphones are frowned upon.

I had talked a lot about this competition in a blog four years ago (https://luegra.design.blog/2021/05/15/the-14th-international-henryk-wieniawski-violin-making-competition/), so I will not go into details here. This year, 85 violins from 18 countries were in competition. Polish luthier Paweł Kubaca won both First and Second Place with his Sona and Luna violins, respectively. Third Place went to Liu Zhaojun from China for the Sunrise violin.

There are two longer videos on the YouTube channel showcasing the finalists and winners, as well as a third video highlighting a quartet performance of the winners. Even if you are not into classical music, you may enjoy listening to the instruments and why each one was put into the finalist positions. It is truly amazing to see how such intricacies can make or break a choice when most of us just see a simple violin. Musicians who base their life on a quality instrument to continue their careers are stringent, and as a guitar player for over 40 years, I can understand.

The next competition for violin making will be in May of 2029. In the meantime, the 17th International Wieniawski Violin Performance Competition will be scheduled within the next wto years. I recommend that you continue to check both the YouTube channel and the Wieniawski Society website (https://www.wieniawski.com/) for updates.

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Bluegrass Music Classical Music Musical Instruments

Hina Maeda/More YouTube Channels

First off, congratulations to Hina Maeda, the winner of the 16th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, which I covered more in last week’s blog (https://luegra.design.blog/2022/10/15/the-16th-international-wieniawski-violin-competiton/). Again, I could have never judged any of these amazing performers. However, I can fully understand why she was chosen — her dynamics in playing and her energy, as well as her true appreciation for Wieniawski’s work, the orchestra that backed her, and her love of the audience. I implore you to go to the Wieniawski Society’s channel and watch Hina as well as the many others that competed (https://www.youtube.com/c/WieniawskiSociety).

I don’t think that I ever mentioned Jeremy Sheppard “The Guitar Hunter” and his YouTube channel in one of my blogs before. So here it is! The guy has a passion for Martin guitars, but also covers other acoustic guitars, as well as visits luthiers in the Nashville area. He did some great videos of his visit to this past month’s IBMA World of Bluegrass convention in Raleigh. I loved how he described bluegrass music as an “ox bow,: like an ox-bow body of water that has life in it, but is not the main part of a moving river. Check out his channel.

https://www.youtube.com/c/JeremySheppard

Another great YT channel is The Acoustic Shoppe. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgToABlTkcQP-ojGXd1g1SA). This channel is based on a music store in Missouri by the same name, run by members of the bluegrass band The Chapmans. They don’t record and tour like they used to years ago (I was a big fan), but the brothers still post videos of their performances at the store, as well as have well-known bluegrass artists, like Rhonda Vincent and The Isaacs, visit the store, talk, and perform on the channel. The best part of the channel is that these brothers have a great sense of humor. Besides slamming each other about playing skills, they post videos on how they test the strength of travel cases, and even a pseudo game show.

I kept this short, as it has been a busy week. Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Classical Music

The 16th International Wieniawski Violin Competiton

As I am writing this on Saturday afternoon, Im also watching the second evening of the Stage 2 performances of the 16th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, held in Poznan, Poland (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4X4EGQ17JE). I have written about the Violin Making Competition last year (https://luegra.design.blog/2021/05/15/the-14th-international-henryk-wieniawski-violin-making-competition/), and this year is the actual performances of young violinists from around the world.

I know that I could never judge one of these events. The competition began with Stage 1 all of last week, with the results announced of the 14 musicians that would advance to Stage 2 announced on October 11. As I watched this YouTube stream, I was heartbroken in a way. So many of these young violinists have devoted a lifetime of energy and stress to get to this competition, only to learn that they did not make the cut. To see their faces distraught and tears of loss come from their eyes is disheartening. In my eyes, they are all so extremely talented, but again, I could never judge such an event, and those that are qualified to judge have made the decisions.

Between watching these performances, and becoming acquainted and a patron the violinist Esther Abrami, I have learned to truly appreciate classical music again. I enjoyed it back about 30 years ago when Detroit actually had a radio station devoted to classical music, but faded away from it, moving into roots music again. YouTube sort of sparked that interest again, and after closely observing the Wieniawski Violin Making Competition, and having email conversations with Esther, I have learned to enjoy it and get emotional by the music.

I do not root for any of the performers like I would for a baseball team or a pro golfer on the circuit. They are all amazing performers. This Stage 2 competition includes each contestant performing in an orchestra setting and duetting with a concert viola player. Even after just one or two performances, I am totally knocked out. So far, the favorite is a young girl from the US named Hana Chang. The comments in the chat session when she performs all seem to agree that she is the best out there. Again, I have no way of judging and not nearly enough experience to say which one of these performers are the top.

I hope that you can take some time and check out the performances on the Wieniawski Society YouTube channel to follow the competition. Even if you have just a little appreciation for classical music, you will not be disappointed.

https://www.youtube.com/c/WieniawskiSociety

Chew on it and comment.

Categories
Musical Instruments

The 14th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition

Ever since I started to take a re-interest in lutherie last year during the pandemic, I have been watching a lot of musical instrument making videos. YouTube is filled with them. I have mentioned Rosa String Works on a previous blog, and have found some others that have piqued my curiosity.

This past week I was obsessed with a particular instrument making competition. The 14th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Making Competition was held in Poznan, Poland May 8-14, and I could not get enough of it! Since there is a big time zone difference between Poland and Detroit, I was not able to catch much of it live, but I was able to enjoy some of the live evening performances during my lunch break (which many co-workers were looking at me funny).

Hundreds of violins are entered, and judges spend the first few days meticulously examining the structure of each piece. Over the final days, the finalists are then played in solo, piano accompaniment, and full orchestra settings. The solo performers stand behind a translucent screen so the judges cannot see the actual violin, and each one is brought to the stage wrapped in a black cloth. It is THAT serious of a competition.

Lovers of classical music would appreciate the violin concertos performed during the week, but may be turned off by the amount of time spent hearing violins doing chromatic scales. On the other hand, luthiers and music physicists would be in paradise. Every nuance of both construction and sound is critically judged by music professors, artisans, and professional violin makers to find the most perfect creation. It is utterly fantastic to watch this happening! I can only compare it to a wine-tasting competition, but for the eyes and ears.

A bit of history. Henryk Wieniawski (1835-1880) was a Polish violinist and composer who was held in high esteem in Europe during his lifetime. A child musical prodigy, he studied and taught in France, Belgium, England, and Russia as well as in Poland. He is considered to be one of the greatest violinists to have ever lived. Poland has continually honored him throughout the years with stamps, coins, and the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Performance Competition, which began in 1935 in Warsaw and has been held every five years since 1952. The Violin Making Competition began in 1957 and is also held every five years.

Of note this year is the winner. Polish luthier Piotr Pielaszek came in both First and Second Place with two of his violins, nicknamed “Dali” and “Selva,” respectively. Listening to these and all of the other finalists being played in both a chamber and orchestra setting is absolutely breath-taking. To hear the subtle tone differences is like tasting different ice creams. It is an absolute pleasure to say the least.

I highly recommend checking out the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition website (https://www.wieniawski.com/) for more information on both competitions. Also be sure to check out the Wieniawski YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/WieniawskiHenryk) For some fantastic documentary and performance videos.


Chew on it and comment.

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