L'Ecole moderne, Op. 10

Henri Wieniawski, the Polish-born violin virtuoso, chamber musician, composer, and pedagogue was admitted into Lambert Massart's violin class at the Paris Conservatoire at age eight. In 1850, he received the Premiere Prix, both as violinist and composer. His pedagogical masterpiece l'Ecole Moderne was published when Wieniawski was 19 years old. These 9 concert etudes combine Wieniawski's passionate romantic style as a composer with his stunning inventiveness as a violin virtuoso. The etudes are now staples in every conservatory. In 1860, Wieniawski became the Tsar's violinist and head of the string department of the newly established St. Petersburg Conservatory. His innovative bowing is the template of the famed Russian Violin School. Wieniawski's bow hold became known as the "Russian bow grip."