(1761 - 1848)

Square pianoforte ca. 1810, The Friends of Felix Yaniewicz

BIO

"YANIEWICZ, FELIX. A Polish gentleman, born at Wilna, and in his youth attached to the court of Stanislaus, King of Poland. His genius for music showed itself at a very early age, and was so much admired by King Stanislaus that he signified his desire that every means should be employed for the cultivation of a talent so remarkable. With this object in view, a liberal pension was assigned to Yaniewicz, that he might travel in Germany, Italy, and France for the improvement of his art. Whilst in Paris, where he was particularly noticed by several members of the royal family, the French revolution broke out, and soon after the sun of Polish liberty set, perhaps forever. Amidst the tempest of political commotion which involved the ruin of Stanislaus and the dismantlement of Poland, Yaniewicz's fortunes were involved in the general wreck; and in 1792 he went to England, where he remained. There he married an English lady, by whom he had one son and two daughters. Both his daughters seemed to inherit their father's musical talent. The eldest, Felicia, became distinguished as an admirable pianist, possessing great force, neatness, brilliancy of touch and execution. Her public performances have been equally creditable to herself and to her father, who was her chief instructor and the model of her taste. As a singer, her pure and unpretending style and delicate intonation have given great pleasure to her hearers in public and in private. The youngest, Pauline, gave great promise of musical excellence. Yaniewicz was long well known in the musical world as a very eminent performer on the violin. His style seems to have been more the result of his own peculiar mode of feeling and expression than any scholastic imitation or predilection. With great spirit and precision in the more brilliant passages, there was blended in those of the cantabile character a strain of amatory feeling and serious tenderness which gave an indescribable charm to his performance. His tone was pure and equal, his intonation remarkably exact, and his style free from those unmeaning harlequinades and flattering flippery embellishments which distigurc the violin playing of so many performers whose merits are otherwise considerable. His concertos, trios, duets, and other compositions gave proof of a fine and cultivated taste." Complete Encyclopædia of Music : Elementary, Technical, Historical ..., 1854, p. 998

"The dwelling-houses in Church Street gradually developed into shops, to some of which I may refer, as having a history connected with them. [...] At No. 2, on the same side the street, there was, many years ago, located the firm of Yaniewicz and Weiss, music-sellers. Mr. Yaniewicz was a Polish musician, very eminent in his day as a violinist, and especially patronised in Edinburgh. Mr. Weiss was a German. His son became a professional singer, and obtained a good reputation as a basso. He died in 1868. The concern was discontinued about 1828." Topographical, 1873, p. 177

"JANIEWIEZ (Yaniewiez), FELIX, born at Wilna about 1761, died at Edinburgh in 1848. Esteemed fiddler, visited Italy early in life, then France, and appeared at the concerts spirituals, and at the Olympian concerts with great success. About 1792 he went to London and played at Salamon's and Rauzzini's concerts, and was one of the original thirty members of the Philharmonic Society. In 1815 he settled in Edinburgh. Compositions : Concertos for violin and orchestra ; Trios for violins." A biographical dictionary of fiddlers, including performers on the violoncello and double bass, 1895, p. 141 (archive.org)

'Pianoforte-maker' music-seller, violinist and composer ca. 1809-48

YANIEWIEZ, LOUD & Co (xx1809)

1809 - "Notice is hereby foren, that the Partnership lately subsisting between Thomas Loud, of Devonshire-Street, Queen's-Square, and Felix Yaniewiez, of Leicester-Square, in the County of Middlesex, Piano-Forte-Makers, under the Firm of Yaniewiez, Loud, and Co. was this Day dissolved by mutual content. All the Debts owing by or to the said Partnership will be paid and received by the said Felix Yaniewiez, in such manner as agreed between them. - Dated the 11th Day of March 1809. Thos. Loud. Felix Yaniewiez." The London Gazette, 14/03/1809, p. 350 (TheGazette.co.uk) - see also Thomas LOUD

YANIEWICZ Felix & GREEN John (1811), see also John GREEN in London

1811 - "Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsisting between Felix Yaniewicz and John Green, Music and Musical Instrument Sellers, at No. 25, Lord Street, Liverpool, was dissolved by mutual Consent on the 20th of April 1811. F. Yaniewicz. John Green." The London Gazette, 15/02/1812, p. 322

YANIEWIEZ Felix & Co (1811)(*1812)

1823 - "YANIEWICZ. When Yaniewicz, the musician, first came to this country, he lived at the west end of the town. One day, after paying several visits, he called a hackney coach, and having seated himself, the coachman enquired whither he should drive him ?
Yaniewicz. “Home, mon ami; you go me home.”
Coachman. “Home, sir! but where ?”
Yan. “Ah ! me not know; de name of de street has esclapé out of my memory, I have forgot him. What shall I do ?” (The coachman smiling, he continued) " Ah! you are gay; come now, you understand de musique, eh !"
Coachman. “Music, what's that to do with the street ?"
Yan. “Ah! vous verrez, you shall see.” He then hummed a tune, and enquired, “ Vat is dat ?”
Coachman. Why, Malbrook.”
Yan. “ Ah ! dat is him. Marlbro' Street, now you drive a me home.” The Percy Anecdotes, 1823, p. 156

YANIEWIEZ & WEISS (**1818)(**1828)(untill 1829), music and musical instrument dealers

"At No. 2, on the same side the street [Church Street], there was, many years ago, located the firm of Yaniewicz and Yaniewicz-Weiss, music-sellers. Mr. Yaniewicz was a Polish musician, very eminent in his day as a violinist, and especially patronised in Edinburgh. Mr. Weiss was a German. His son became a professional singer, and obtained a good reputation as a basso. He died in 1868. The concern was discontinued about 1828." Memorials of Liverpool, Historical and Topographical, 1873, p. 177

1829 - "NOTICE is hereby given, that the Copartnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Felix Yaniewiez and Willoughby Gasper Weiss, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Music-Sellers, is this day dissolved by mutual consent. - All debts due and owing to or from the said late Partnership will be received and paid by the said Willoughby Gasper Weiss.-Dated this 1st day of May 1829. Willoughby Gasper Weiss. F. Yaniewiez." The London Gazette, 12/05/1829, p. 865

1830-37 - YANIEWICZ in Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.

1844 - "Mariages [...] At Edinburgh, Jackson Townsend, esq. of Liverpool, to Pauline Frances, youngest dau. of Felix Yaniewicz, esq. of Edinburgh." The Gentleman's Magazine, 1844, p. 539

1848 - GRAVE of YANIEWICZ in Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.

25, Lord Street (**1812), Lord Street (***1818), 60, Lord Street (*1824), [2], Church Street (**1828), Liverpool

84, Great King Street (**1830)(**1837)(**1843), Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1926

'Piano-, Sprechm.- u. Musikinstr.-Handlung' (x1926)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1926 [since 1919 (x1926)]

'Piano- u. Musikinstr.-Handlung u. Reparatur-Werkstatt' (x1926)

YATES William Robert

Music Trades Review, 15/06/1889, p. 33

'Pianoforte-maker' ca. 1882-95 [since 1852 (y1889)(xx1890)]

Yates W. R. & Sons (??)

YATES [William Robert] & Co (**1882)(**1884)(y1889)(xx1890)(**1891)(*1893)(**1895)

Successors to KING & ADAMS (y1889)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1906-12

'Piano-Handlung' (x1906)(x1912) - Auch Nähm.-Handlung' (x1912)

'Pianoforte-maker' ca. 1847-91

YOUATT George (*1847)(xx1872)

YOUATT George & Son (**1882)(**1884)

YOUATT Victor (xx1890)(**1891)

'Pianohandlung' (xx1890)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1906-26 [since 1880 (x1906)(x1912) or since 1876 (x1912)(x1926)]

Representative for BRINSMEAD (x1906)

'Piano-Handlung' (x1906) & 'Pianoforte stores' (xx1906) ------- 'Musikal.-, Piano-, Orgel- u. Musikinstr.-Handlung' (x1912)(x1926) & 'Auch Stimmer u. Lehrer' (x1912) -------- 'Piano- u. Orgel-Niederlage' (x1926)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1912

'Piano- u. Musikinstr.-Handlung' (x1912)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1912

'Piano- u. Musikinstr.-Handlung' (x1912)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1890-1926 [since 1879 (x1912)(x1926)]

'Musiklehrer, Piano- u. Geigenhändler' (xx1890) ------- 'Piano-, Orgel- u. Musikinstr.-Handlung' (x1906) ------- 'Piano-, Orgel-, Musikinstr.- u. Sprechmaschinen-Handlung' (x1912)(x1926)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1926

 'Piano- u. Musikal.-Händler' (x1926)

Pianoforte-maker and/or pianoforte dealer ca. 1906-15

'Piano-Handlung' (x1906) - 'Pianoforte manufacturers' (xx1906)

(¹): 'Histoire de piano de 1700 à 1950', Mario Pizzi, 1983

(²): 'Makers of the Piano 1700-1820' and 'Makers of the Piano 1820-1860', Martha Novak Clinkscale, 1993