• SVĚČÍN, Mikuláš Dimitri: soloist, vl

Lumír 26/6/1862 reported that then visiting Prague were some important Slavic artists including the ‘Russian Mr Mikuláš Dmitriev Švěčin [Svěčín], first violinist in the Imperial Opera in Petersburg, who will appear here in some concerts.’ On 10/7/1862 the periodical published a brief review of the first concert that had been given by the violinist in the Estates Theatre. At the end of this review the correspondent reported that ‘Tomorrow 11th July will take place in the Kovikt Hall a concert given by Mr D.N. Svěčín in which will be performed by this Slavic artist entirely Slavonic compositions and for this [reason] we especially recommend this [concert] to the public.’ A review of the Konvikt Hall even, signed ‘a-a.’, then appeared in Lumír 17/7/1862. The critic reported the ‘Slavonic concert of the Russian chamber violinist Mr Dmitri N. Svěčin took place with a minor alteration on 11 July in the Konvikt Hall and enjoyed a very numerous attendance with all places in the quite spacious Hall filled by the public. Mr Svěčin began the concert with a Fantasie by Vieuxtemps from the Russian opera Askoldova mogila... The Fugue for violin in two parts is not, in the true sense of the word, worked as a fugue but it has an antiquated arabesque style and much ornamentation and decoration well-beloved of old masters. The concert-giver performed these compositions very prudently and very easily, and dextrously overcame the difficulties which are presented by such compositions in the old style. His own composition, which has in terms of its working not much of interest, develops inappropriately the beautifully touching song of Varlam “krásný (that is red!) sarafan”. After it he performed the impassioned, richly folk-style Mazurka of Viniavský with ardent fire, with accuracy and enthusiasm. Following each number he was stormily [curtain-]called. With the sudden illness of Mis Zavišanka the concert programme was partly changed. Miss Harryová kindly deputized for Miss Zavišanka and performed very accurately an aria from “Figarova svatba” and a waltz by Ricci. Our [native] singer Lukes tenderly sang some beautiful Slavonic folksongs (Serbian an Moravian) and was vociferously curtain called. The outcome of the concert was certainly successful, for the audience was excellently entertained.’

Prager Morgenpost 10/7/1862 reported that ‘Mr Nikolas Dimitrieff de Swetschin, Imperial Russian Chamber-virtuoso, is arranging on Friday at 5pm in the Konvikt Hall a concert, in which will be performed various Russian, Slovakian, Bohemian, Silesian and Hungarian folksongs.’ No further details were give by this report. The concert was not reviewed by this newspaper.

The Národní listy 12/7/1862 review of this event, signed ‘Zvř.’ [J.L. Zvonař] applauded Dimitri Svěčín’s sensitive and expressive style of playing, with praise echoing a review published by Národní listy on 8/7/1862 of a soirée given by Svěčín on 5/7/1862 for the Měšťanská beseda [Civic Society]. Zvonař commented: ‘We were convinced that Mr Svěčín is a very skilful violinist, who concerns himself more with the production of a great, beautiful tone, rather than on deliberately conquering contrived works of art, and who therefore does not seek to win over the audience with blinding bravura tricks, but rather by his fine artistic spirit. That, as a virtuoso, he was therefore... [in] a more difficult position before the public, who not so long ago marvelled at the Hungarian virtuoso [Eduard] Reményi, is self-explanatory. Yet Mr Svěčín was able to win public recognition with his manner of playing... which directly testifies to his artistry as well as to the public’s judgement, which in no way perceives virtuoso trifles as the summit of art.’ The correspondent then noted that Svěčín had ample technical virtuosity at his command, remarking upon his ‘excellent staccato in up-bows, cleanly executed scales in octaves, sixths, clear harmonics and such’, yet also emphasized that the display of such skill was not at the forefront of his performance. The concert as a whole was considered to be a ‘magnificent’ success. According to the previous Národní listy 8/7/1862 report, the singer Miss Helena Zawiszanka was to have appeared in this concert performing Polish and Czech songs. However, the subsequent Národní listy review noted that she had withdrawn her participation due to illness.

Prager Zeitung 10/7/1862 published news that ‘The Imperial Russian Chamber-virtuoso Mr v. Swetschin gives tomorrow at 5pm in the Konvikt Hall a second concert, in which with the participation of Mr Lukes and Miss Zawiszanka Slavic compositions and folksongs will for the greater part be performed’ Prager Zeitung 13/7/1862 published a review, signed ‘!!’ of this concert. The correspondent reported: ‘The Imperial Russian Chamber-virtuoso Nikolas Dimitrieff de Swetschin, whose acquaintance we made recently in the Theatre, yesterday performed his own concert in the Theatre, to which a numerous, mostly Czech auditorium expressed lively approbation and applause. His playing we already described in detail following his first appearance, so it only remains to us to mention that he played a Phantasie [Fantasie] by Vieuxtemps upon the Russian opera Askoldova magila, a Fugue (!) of his own composition, Variations on the Sarafan, a Romanesca by Bott and a Mazurka by Winiawsky, then Mr Lukes performed Russian, Serbian and Moravian folksongs besides a Slovakian song [ein slovakisches Lied] by Lud. Prochazka. In this original but purely Slavic concert Miss Harry appeared as a substitute for Miss Zawiszanka... It was strange that Mr Swetschin turned up in front of the audience wearing a Turkish medal, collected from the Turks for harrying the Montenegrins. He does not put art above cosmopolitanism.’