Apollinaire de Kontski

Who is Apollinaire de Kontski?

Apollinaire de Kontski was a Polish violinist, teacher and minor composer.

He was born in Warsaw as Apolinary Kątski, the youngest of five musical siblings who all used the name de Kontski professionally, and the only one who was not a pianist. Their father tried to have them all recognised as "wunderkinder".

He studied with his elder brother Charles de Kontski and appeared in public at the age of four, playing a concerto by Pierre Rode. He appeared in St Petersburg, France, Germany and England, making an extraordinary impression. He was praised by the likes of Hector Berlioz and Giacomo Meyerbeer. De Kontski was befriended by Niccolò Paganini in Paris, had some lessons with him, and it was said that he was even bequeathed Paganini's violins and manuscripts. This last claim appears to be without foundation, however, Paganini did give him a signed testimonial, which was published in the Musical World of 21 June 1838:

Having heard M. de Kontski, aged eleven years, perform several pieces of music on the violin, and having found him worthy of being ranked among the most celebrated artists of the present day, permit me to say, that if he continues his studies in this fine art, he will, in course of time, surpass the most distinguished performers of the age.

PAGANINI."