The music of Polish-Lithuanian Felix Yaniewicz is probably relatively unknown to today’s classical audiences, but in his day the composer was one of the most respected musical figures around.

Yaniewicz was not only an acclaimed composer, but he was also a virtuoso violinist who played in some of the finest orchestras that 18/19th Century Britain had to offer, including Salomon’s orchestra under a certain Josef Haydn!

When he was not playing and writing numerous works for the violin, Yaniewicz was a well-known face in British music circles. By 1815 he had not only moved to Edinburgh but he had also co-founded Edinburgh’s very first music festival – a precursor of the festivals that were to come 130+ years later!