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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Unforgettable celebration of the art of violin making
The Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival is a unique cultural event of international character, combining a passion for music and mastery of lutherie. Held at the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, the festival attracts luthiers, musicians, and enthusiasts from around the world, offering them a chance to exchange experiences and delve into the secrets of making stringed instruments.
The centrepiece of the festival is the Włodzimierz Kamiński International Violin Making Competition, which serves as a platform for young talents to showcase their works. The competition gathers students and graduates from prestigious lutherie schools who compete in creating the best violins. It's not just a competition but also a space for exchanging ideas, making contacts, learning, and honing skills under the guidance of experienced masters and artists.
The festival is also an educational venue thanks to the workshops and conferences it organizes. The Art of Lutherie Workshops offer both beginners and advanced participants the chance to learn from the best—from basic techniques to advanced methods of sound adjustment. Meanwhile, the International Lutherie Conference brings together lecturers from across Europe who share knowledge on the history, production methods, and current trends in artistic lutherie.
Additionally, the festival features a rich program of concerts where instruments made by contemporary creators can be heard. This is a unique opportunity to experience various styles of luthiers' work from all over the world.
The event also includes exhibitions where Polish luthiers present their works, creating a space for dialogue between traditional methods and innovative solutions in instrument construction. It is a time when Poznań becomes the European center of lutherie, promoting the Polish school and the skills of luthiers on an international stage.
The Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival is primarily a space for creativity, thought exchange, and cultural development. The event attracts many visitors who come not only to admire the beauty of the instruments but also to understand the process of their creation. We invite you to Poznań to experience this unique atmosphere, meet people who create music not only with sounds but with the tools in which it is born.
FESTIVAL 2023
Summary of the first edition of the festival
The first Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival was held at the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, from October 25th to 28th, 2023. The festival featured the 1st International Włodzimierz Kamiński Violin Making Competition, which attracted students and graduates from various violin making schools to compete and display their craftsmanship.
The event included a Violin Making Masterclass that provided in-depth education on the techniques and science behind acoustic design in violin making. Additionally, the Polish Artist Violin Makers Exhibition was set up to showcase the history and evolution of violin making in Poland.
Several supplementary activities were organized to engage visitors. These included the "A day in the life of a luthier: be like Marcin Groblicz" workshops, which offered hands-on experience in violin crafting, and the Lunchtime Concerts, where musicians performed using instruments made by contemporary Polish luthiers.
The festival concluded with a Gala and Winners' Concert, where the competition winners presented their instruments in performance. Concurrently, the International Violin Making Conference provided a platform for discussions and presentations on various topics related to violin making, facilitating knowledge exchange among global experts.
ORGANISERS
The Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Festival was organized through the collaboration of three key institutions: the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, the Włodzimierz Kamiński Art of Violin Making Foundation, and Helena Harajda, and the Association of Polish Luthiers.
The initiator and artistic director of the event is Professor Honorata Stalmierska, the president of the Włodzimierz Kamiński and Helena Harajda Art of Violin Making Foundation, and the head of the Department of Artistic Violin Making at the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań.
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COMPETITION
1st International Włodzimierz Kamiński Violin Making Competition
The first edition of the competition was dedicated to students and graduates of violin making, specifically those who completed their studies in the year prior to the event. The competition attracted 28 participants from various corners of the world, including Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, the United States, Italy, and Korea. Each participant could submit up to two violins, allowing for a total of 35 instruments to be presented.
The competition was held in two stages. In the first stage, the jury, consisting of luthiers, assessed the technical and aesthetic qualities of the instruments, while musicians focused on their acoustic and ergonomic attributes. The second stage moved everyone to a concert setting, where, behind a screen that eliminated visual biases, only the sound qualities of the presented instruments were evaluated. These sound presentations were open to the public and broadcast live, highlighting the transparency of the evaluation process.
The festival concluded with a spectacular Winners' Concert, where the best, award-winning instruments were showcased in their full glory by the eminent violinist Celina Kotz, accompanied by pianist Grzegorz Skrobiński. This event not only celebrated the skills and passion of young luthiers but also summarized their hard work and talent, highlighted by a virtuosic performance at the Aula Nova in Poznań.
JURY
International Jury of luthiers and violinists
Jury:
Peter Beare (The United Kingdom)
Roman Barnaś (The United States)
Jarosław Nadrzycki (Poland)
Dominique Nicosia (France)
Ulrike Rempel (Germany)
Honorata Stalmierska (Poland)
Agata Szymczewska (Poland)
Jury Secretary:
Marta Panfil
Competition Director:
Jan Bartoś
WINNERS
The jury awarded 3 main prizes and 3 honorable mentions, as well as several non-statutory awards
Competition winners:
Martyna Reske – 1st prize 15.000 zł
(Poland, Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań)
Janusz Bryniarski – 2nd prize 11.000 zł
(Poland, Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań)
Seoyeon Kim – 3rd prize 8.000 zł
(South Korea, Istituto d’Istruzione Superiore A. Stradivari Cremona)
Kwang Hoon Lee – honorable mention 2.000 zł
(South Korea, Istituto d’Istruzione Superiore A. Stradivari Cremona)
Klemens Siatkowski – honorable mention 2.000 zł
(Poland, Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań)
Martyna Reske – honorable mention 2.000 zł
(Poland, Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań)
SOUND PRESENTATIONS AND THE GALA CONCERT
During the second stage of auditions, sound evaluations took place behind a curtain in the concert hall of the Aula Nova at the Academy of Music in Poznań, ensuring objectivity in assessments and allowing jurors to focus solely on the sound quality of the instruments. The anonymity of the instruments enabled a fair and transparent evaluation of the acoustic merits of the presented violins. The Winners' Concert, featuring violinist Celina Kotz accompanied by pianist Grzegorz Skrobiński, was the highlight of the festival, showcasing outstanding musical skills on the h
ighest-rated instruments, marking a true celebration of violin making art and auditory expression.
Both the sound evaluations and the Winners' Concert were livestreamed. We invite you to watch recordings of these events.
Photos credits: Bartosz Seifert, I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań
MASTERCLASS
Sound adjustment in an instrument and effective collaboration with musicians
The Violin Making Masterclass, held during the festival, were led by the eminent British luthier, Peter Beare. This intensive session focused on advanced acoustic techniques and sound adjustment in string instruments. Peter Beare shared his profound knowledge and experience, particularly emphasizing resonance optimization and sound quality, which are crucial in perfecting instruments at the highest level.
Participants in the workshops included international students and competition participants, as well as experienced luthiers from various countries. The session not only offered the opportunity to learn under a master's guidance but also provided a platform for exchanging experiences and techniques among professionals, making these workshops an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration.
Photos credits: Bartosz Seifert, I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS
The workshops were aimed at the Poznań audience and anyone who wanted to feel like maestro Antonio Stradivari or the great Polish master of violin making, Marcin Groblicz, even just for a moment. Participation in the workshops didn't require any prior knowledge of lutherie, opening the doors to anyone interested in this art form.
During the workshops, participants learned about the history of violin making and visited a luthier's workshop, where they familiarized themselves with the basic tools needed to create instruments. Under the watchful eye of experienced master Marcin Krupa, they also had the opportunity to independently craft a part of a violin. This hands-on experience not only helped them understand the process of making stringed instruments but also allowed them to feel the true passion and precision required in this artistic profession.
A day in the life of a luthier: be like Marcin Groblicz
POLISH ARTIST VIOLIN MAKERS EXHIBITION
Showcase of Polish violin making in the heart of Poznań
The Exhibition of Polish Artist Violin Makers, showcasing the works of members of the Polish Union of Artist Violin Makers, was one of the key elements of the festival. Taking place in the open space of the Aula Nova at the Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, this exhibition offered the audience the opportunity for direct dialogue with the violin makers, providing a chance to delve into the knowledge of the artists' daily work and techniques used in instrument making. Musicians also had the opportunity to compare and evaluate instruments, which could result in establishing new contacts with selected creators.
Exhibition Coordinator:
Marek Pielaszek
ACCOMPANYING EVENTS
The exhibition was enriched by concerts held during lunchtime, where instruments submitted to the exhibition were presented. These musical interludes not only enhanced the visit but also allowed the audience to hear the sound of each exhibit, which is an integral part of assessing the quality and skill of each violin maker.
During the concerts, the following performers appeared:
Urszula Jarosz – cello
Joanna Jasiak – violin
Marianna Kowal – guitar
Anna Kubiak – viola
Jakub Staszel – violin
Lunchtime concerts
Photos credits: Bartosz Seifert, I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań
INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN MAKING CONFERENCE
Integration of Tradition and Modernity in Education
Podczas Festiwalu odbyła się Międzynarodowa Konferencja Lutnicza, która stała się platformą do prezentacji znaczących ośrodków lutniczych z całej Europy. Polskie osiągnięcia lutnicze, począwszy od mistrzów takich jak Groblicz i Dankwart, aż po dziedzictwo Włodzimierza Kamińskiego i prace współczesnych artystów, były prezentowane obok wprowadzeń do tradycji lutniczych z Newark, Mirecourt, Cremony oraz Mittenwaldu. Dzięki temu uczestnicy mogli zgłębić różnorodność metod, historię oraz stylistyczne nuance charakterystyczne dla każdej z prezentowanych szkół.
Podczas konferencji swoje referaty wygłosili:
Daniele Renzi (Istituto d'Istruzione Superiore Antonio Stradivari Cremona),
Dominique Nicosia (Ecole Nationale de lutherie à Mirecourt),
Ulrike Rempel (Staatliche Musikinstrumentenbauschule Mittenwald),
Floriane Forconi i Ludivine Broulliet (Newark International School of Violin Making),
Marta Panfil (Akademia Muzyczna im. I.J. Paderewskiego w Poznaniu).
EXPERT PANEL
The highlight of the conference was the expert panel, chaired by Honorata Stalmierska, the artistic director of the festival, which initiated a discussion on the creation of an international agreement between violin making schools. This initiative aims to facilitate cooperation and exchange of experiences among future generations of violin makers on the international stage, opening up new opportunities for education and development in the field of violin making. The agreement significantly accelerates the flow of knowledge and skills between European violin making centers, which is crucial in an increasingly globalized world, addressing the needs for continuous improvement and international integration of the violin making community.
Representatives from violin making schools across Europe participated in the expert panel.:
Akademia Muzyczna im. I.J. Paderewskiego w Poznaniu (Poland)
Conservatorio Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga de Bilbao (Spain)
Ecole Nationale de lutherie à Mirecourt (France)
Istituto d'Istruzione Superiore Antonio Stradivari Cremona (Italy)
Newark International School of Violin Making (The United Kingdom)
Staatliche Musikinstrumentenbauschule Mittenwald (Germany)
Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau (Germany)
Vision of the Future: International Agreement of Violin Making Schools
Photos credits: Bartosz Seifert, I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań
FESTIVAL TEAM
Honorata Stalmierska – festival artistic director
Jan Bartoś – competition artistic director
Mateusz Smól – executive manager
Marek Pielaszek – exhibition coordinator
Marta Panfil – competition secretary, substantive and organizational support
Marta Zuzanna Huk – conference coordinator
Aldona Berdyszak – senior specialist for fundraising and project implementation
Malwina Kunc – senior specialist for promotion and branding
Filip Pietrowicz – promotion specialist
Lena Baranowska – executive assistant
Joanna Szurka-Baranowska – support for competition jury organization work
NON-STATUTORY PRIZES
Special thanks to:
Krzysztofa Pawikowskiego and Nell i Romualda Henglewskich or sponsoring the non-statutory prizes.