Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival, 25-28.10.2023
The festival organized by the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań is an international event and consists of four main things:
The 1st Włodzimierz Kamiński International Violin Making Competition, Violin Making Workshop/Masterclass, International Violin Making Conference and Exhibition of Polish Violin Making Artists.
Co-organizers: Włodzimierz Kamiński and Helena Harajda Art of Violin Making Foundation and the Polish Union of Artists Violin Makers.
Schedule of Festival events:
THE 1ST WŁODZIMIERZ KAMIŃSKI INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN MAKING COMPETITION
25.10.2023, Wednesday
11.00-18.00: 1st stage of the Competition, closed to the public
26.10.2023, Thursday
10.00-18.00: 1st stage of the Competition, closed to the public
18.30: Announcement of results of the 1st stage of the Competition and discussions with the Jury
27.10.2023, Friday
15.00-18.00: Auditions of the 2nd stage of the Competition, open to the public
19.00: Announcement of the results of the 2nd stage of the Competition and discussions with the Jury
28.10.2023, Saturday
19.00: Festival Gala and Laureates’ Concert
The Competition is open to students of violin making schools from all over the world and their graduates, who have completed their studies no earlier than in 2022.
The competition is held in two stages. In the first stage, the jury assesses the aesthetic and ergonomic qualities of instruments, and this stage is closed to the public. In the second (final) stage of the Competition, the instruments are presented in the concert hall from behind a curtain (anonymously) by a violinist Celina Kotz, and the Jury performs the sound assessment. The auditions of the second stage are open to the public. The concluding event of the Competition is the Laureate Concert held during the Festival Gala, at which the awarded instruments will be presented. Admission to the second stage auditions and the Laureate Concert is free for the public.
Jury:
Peter Beare (United Kingdom) – Chairman of the Jury, violin maker
Roman Barnaś (United States) – violin maker
Dominique Nicosia (France) – violin maker
Ulrike Rempel (Germany) – violin maker
Honorata Stalmierska (Poland) – violin maker, Festival Director
Agata Szymczewska (Poland) – violinist
Jarosław Nadrzycki (Poland) – violinist
VIOLIN MAKING WORKSHOP/MASTERCLASS
in two groups, for professionals and beginners
26.10.2023, Thursday
10.00-13.00: beginner and professional groups
27.10.2023, Friday
10.00-15.00: professional group
PROFESSIONAL GROUP
Topic: Setting up an instrument, working on sound quality and collaborating with musicians
This Workshop-Masterclass is intended for all students of artistic violin making, including international participants of the Competition, who will be able to take an active part in the Workshop, as well as student and professional musicians who will be able to participate as free listeners. During the Masterclass, an internationally renowned violin making expert Andrew Fairfax will share his knowledge about sound adjustments of an instrument, i.e., how to set up an instrument, which steps to take to check and improve sound quality, and how to effectively work with musicians.
The Workshop is free and open to all student participants of the Festival.
Tutor: Andrew Fairfax (United Kingdom)
BEGINNERS’ GROUP
Topic: A day from the life of a violin maker – be like Marcin Groblicz
The beginners’ group is aimed at the Poznan public and all those who want to feel for a moment like maestro Antonio Stradivari or our great Polish master luthier Marcin Groblicz. No previous knowledge of violin making is required to take part in the workshop.
During the workshop, participants will learn about the history of violin making, visit a violin maker’s workplace, become acquainted with the basic tools, and make a piece of the violin themselves under the watchful eye of a master.
Tutor: Marcin Krupa (Poland)
INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN MAKING CONFERENCE
28.10.2023, Saturday
9.00-15.00: presentations
15.00-17.00: expert panel
Topic: Violin making centres and the education of violin makers in Europe from the 16th century to the present day
The conference is devoted to the presentation of violin making centres in Europe. Together with speakers from Poland, presenting the achievements of the Polish violin making school, from the masters Groblicz and Dankwart to the legacy of Festival patron Włodzimierz Kamiński and contemporary Polish violin making artists, invited speakers from the United Kingdom (Newark school), France (Mirecourt), Italy (Cremona) and Germany (Mittenwald) will present the history, style, and methods of education in their respective violin making centres.
Towards the end of the conference, an expert panel will take place, initiating talks on the creation of an international agreement of violin making schools and closer collaboration between them. This agreement will significantly facilitate the cooperation of future generations of luthiers in the international arena, accelerate the exchange of experience and knowledge and open new opportunities for students of artistic violin making.
EXHIBITION OF POLISH VIOLIN-MAKING ARTISTS
26.10.2023, Thursday
12.00-17.00: exhibition
13.00: lunchtime concert
27.10.2023, Friday
10.00-15.00: exhibition
13.00: lunchtime concert
The exhibition consists of works by contemporary Polish violin makers, members of the Polish Union of Artist Violin Makers, who present their instruments in the open space of the Aula Nova of the Academy of Music in Poznan. The exhibition is open to the public, who will have an opportunity to discuss with the artists their daily work. Musicians can additionally compare the instruments of individual makers from the exhibition and network with selected luthiers. The exhibition will be enhanced by accompanying events in the form of Lunchtime Concerts, during which previously submitted instruments from the Exhibition will be presented.
More information on the project website: CLICK
Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival is held under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage
Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Fund for the Promotion of Culture
Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival is held under the honorary patronage of Marshal of the Wielkopolska Region
Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival is held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of Poznań
Media Partners:
TVP Kultura, TVP3 Poznań, Głos Wielkopolski, naszemiasto.pl, Radio Poznań, IKS, kulturapoznan.pl
