Every five years, Poznań becomes one of the world's greatest meeting places for young violinists. This October, the city will once again host the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, bringing 50 musicians from around the world to compete over more than two weeks.
The 17th edition opens on 8 October, with the competition itself beginning the following day. For audiences in Poznań, it means a packed programme of concerts and competition performances at the Aula of Adam Mickiewicz University, alongside the chance to hear some of the most promising young violinists of their generation.
As Poznań Mayor Jacek Jaśkowiak puts it:
This is the oldest violin competition of its kind in the world, having been held since 1935. I am delighted that, after the war, it was moved from Warsaw to Poznań, because it is undoubtedly a gem, a unique event of the highest possible standing in the world of classical music. Held in our city every five years, the competition attracts enormous interest and, each time, draws outstanding young musicians from around the world.
He also describes classical music as something that can bring people together at a time of deep divisions.
50 violinists, 36 countries and one Poznań stage
The scale of the competition is considerable. A total of 252 applications were submitted for this edition, with candidates representing 36 countries across four continents. After the initial selection process, 50 violinists were admitted to the competition.
China, Japan, Poland, South Korea and the United States provided the largest number of applications.
The competition has been held since 1935 and is one of the world's longest-established international violin competitions. It moved from Warsaw to Poznań in 1952, where the Aula of what is now Adam Mickiewicz University became its home.
The connection with the city also has a historical dimension. Henryk Wieniawski performed in Greater Poland 16 times during his career, giving the competition a particularly strong local connection.
Wieniawski at the heart of the programme
The competition is named after Henryk Wieniawski, one of the outstanding violin virtuosos and composers of the 19th century. His music will frame this year's event, appearing at both the beginning and end of the competition.
His works form the basis of the first stage, while the three finalists will finish their competition by performing either his First Violin Concerto in F-sharp minor or Second Violin Concerto in D minor.
The programme also reaches well beyond Wieniawski. Works by composers including Beethoven, Bartók, Dvořák, Grieg and Schumann feature alongside music by Polish composers and less frequently performed works.
This gives audiences a chance to hear very different approaches to the violin, from established repertoire to contemporary pieces.
From solo recitals to the final
The competition unfolds through several stages, gradually reducing the field from 50 musicians to the finalists.
The first stage consists of solo performances and pieces accompanied by piano. Twenty-four competitors will progress to the second stage, followed by 12 in the third and six semi-finalists.
Later rounds introduce orchestral accompaniment. The third stage will feature the Amadeus Polish Radio Chamber Orchestra, while the semi-final and final performances will be accompanied by the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra.
The final will see the remaining competitors perform Wieniawski's violin concertos.
The jury will be chaired by Polish violinist Bartłomiej Nizioł, who won first prize at the Wieniawski Competition in 1991.
Opening night with Taeyeon Kim
The competition will officially open on 8 October with a concert featuring cellist Taeyeon Kim and the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Łukasz Borowicz.
Kim, who has won prizes at major international competitions including the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the Witold Lutosławski International Cello Competition, will perform Camille Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 1.
The programme will also include Antoni Szałowski's Overture and Grażyna Bacewicz's Symphony No. 3.
The competition performances begin on 9 October and continue for two weeks. The awards ceremony and first Laureates' Concert will take place on 23 October, followed by another laureates' concert in Poznań on 24 October. A third concert is scheduled for the National Philharmonic in Warsaw on 25 October.
All the Poznań competition performances and laureates' concerts will take place at the Aula of Adam Mickiewicz University.
Following the competition from Poznań and beyond
Those unable to attend in person will be able to follow the competition online. Performances and behind-the-scenes coverage will be shared through the competition's social media channels, while live broadcasts will be available through Wieniawski Society's YouTube channel and platforms including The Violin Channel and other TV channels.
For Poznań residents, however, the attraction is being able to experience the competition in the city itself. The Aula will once again become the focal point for an international gathering of musicians, audiences and music professionals.
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Source and image credit: poznan.pl, Towarzystwo Wieniawskiego
