On the 25th -28th October 2023, the Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival was held at the Academy of Music in Poznań. This event was organised by the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, the Włodzimierz Kamiński and Helena Harajda Art of Violin Making Foundation, and the Polish Union of Artist Violin Makers.
The Festival consisted of four main events: Polish Artist Violin Makers Exhibition, Violin Making Workshop-Masterclass for students, International Violin Making Competition for students of violin making schools, and International Violin Making Conference devoted to education of young luthiers in Europe.
Particularly important for the youngsters was the participation in the Violin Making Masterclass held by Peter Beare. The proposed topic Setting up an instrument, working on sound quality and collaborating with musicians proved to be a so-called hit. It showed young people that communication between violin makers and musicians is essential when it comes to adjusting the sound of an instrument, and that theoretical knowledge is the basis for the practical side of the sound adjustment, while the experience of the violin maker is also of great importance.
Main winners of the competition:
1st price: Martyna Reske - Poland
2nd price: Janusz Bryniarski - Poland
3rd price:Seoyeon Kim - South Korea
Honourable mention: Kwang Hoon Lee - South Korea
Honourable mention: Klemens Siatkowski - Poland
Honourable mention: Martyna Reske - Poland
Official website: amuz.edu.pl/wlodzimierz-kaminski-art-of-violin-making-festival-25-28-10-2023/
Photos: Bartosz Seifert, The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań.
