Music and Migration in Scotland: The Story of Felix Yaniewicz
An exhibition at the Georgian House in Edinburgh, from 25 June – 22 October 2022, will tell the remarkable story of Felix Yaniewicz (1762-1848), a celebrated Polish-Lithuanian violinist, composer and impresario, who settled in Scotland and co-founded the first Edinburgh music festival in 1815. Alongside the exhibition, there will be a programme of talks, lecture-recitals and musical performances.
The project is initiated by The Friends of Felix Yaniewicz. The organisation provides a forum for those who take an interest in the music of this remarkable violin virtuoso, composer, and co-founder of the first Edinburgh music festival in 1815. It brings together musicians and music lovers, heritage professionals, members of the thriving Polish-Scottish community and Yaniewicz’s descendants, who all take a share in his legacy. The Friends’ patron is violinist Jennifer Pike MBE. Hailed as a ‘violin genius’ for her ‘luminous beauty of tone’, ‘dazzling interpretative flair and exemplary technique’ she has become an ambassador for Polish music, reflecting her own Polish ancestry.
Josie Dixon, Yaniewicz’s great-great-great-great-granddaughter and founder of The Friends of Felix Yaniewicz, says: “Putting this exhibition together has illuminated so many aspects of Yaniewicz’s colourful story, featuring a Polish King, his encounter with Mozart in Vienna, escape from the French Revolution and a lost Stradivarius. We are thrilled to be sharing with the public for the first time a remarkable collection of heirlooms reflecting his life and career, in celebration of his musical legacy in Scotland.” After a cosmopolitan career in Europe, Felix Yaniewicz arrived in London around 1790 and eventually made his way to Edinburgh where he lived from 1815 until his death in 1848. It was the discovery and restoration of a historic square piano bearing his signature that led to new research on his career and a project to celebrate his role in Scotland’s musical culture.'
In addition to the exhibition, a series of accompanying events, including concerts, lecture-recitals and an ‘in conversation’ event at Ghillie Dhu with critically-acclaimed writer and broadcaster Armando Iannucci, will explore the life and times of Felix Yaniewicz and music and migration in Scotland.
Find out more here.