2-982-553 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Henri Wieniawski, the Celebrated Violinist at Jullien's Concerts - from a photograph by Mayall, 1858. 'At the age of eight, having given the most marked evidence of a musical organisation, he was sent, by command and at the expense of the Emperor Nicholas, to commence a course of musical study at the Conservatoire of Paris...at the age of eleven he was awarded the first prize of the Conservatoire-the highest distinction which, in the eyes of Europe, can be conferred on the successful musical student...At the age of sixteen Wieniawski visited Berlin... [where] he had during that single season given sixteen concerts, all of which were brilliantly attended...On the occasion of his visit to this capital he was presented by the King of Prussia with the grand medal, "Des Beaux Arts" - a distinction only accorded to the most eminent merit. During a subsequent tour through Saxony, where he continued to win the most signal proofs of admiration, he received the decoration of the Ernestine Haus Order...he proceeded to Holland, where he gave in succession one hundred and forty concerts...Wieniawski is remarkable in private for his modest and retiring demeanour'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.