Over fifty young Polish violinists are taking part in the preliminary auditions for the 14th Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition in Poznań.

They all play a public recital in front of the chairman of the competition jury Maxim Vengerov.

Some of the participants admit they do not hope to qualify for the event but the very opportunity to hear an opinion from Vengerov, who talks to every violinist after the performance, is something not to be missed.

Earlier this year, Vengerov listened to some 120 prospective candidates during the preliminary auditions in Bergamo, London, Quebec, Seoul, Yokohama, Moscow, Baku and Brussels.

A list of 50 musicians who will compete for the Wieniawski Competition awards in October will be announced at the beginning of May.

Born in 1835, Henryk Wieniawski was among the greatest violin virtuosos and composers of the 19th century.

He was admitted to the Paris Conservatory at the age of eight and four years later completed the course, winning the gold medal with distinction. He performed in the most prestigious venues in Europe, provoking admiration and enthusiasm. After a twelve-year-long stint as court violinist to Tsar Alexander II, interrupted by numerous concerts in Europe and Russia, he went on a two-year-long tour of the United States, which confirmed his fame and reputation.

His compositional output includes two violin concertos, the Legend, and numerous pieces employing the motifs of Polish dances, the polonaise and the kujawiak.

He died in 1880 at the age of 45. The Wieniawski International Violin Competition is held in Poznań every five years.

The auditions end Friday. (mk)