Apollinaire de Kontski

Apollinaire de Kontski (2 July 1824 – 29 June 1879) was a Polish violinist, teacher, and composer.

He was born in Warsaw (some sources say incorrectly Kraków) 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.

[2] He studied with his elder brother Charles de Kontski and appeared in public at the age of four, playing a concerto by Pierre Rode.

[1] 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.

He founded a string quartet, with which ensemble his pianist daughter Wanda played throughout Poland and Russia.