Music and Migration in Georgian Edinburgh artwork
Love Scotland: Stories of Scotland's History and Nature

Music and Migration in Georgian Edinburgh

  • S3E9
  • 28:50
  • July 8th 2022

In this episode, our host Jackie Bird heads to the Georgian House in Edinburgh, where the finishing touches are being made to a new exhibition about the life and legacy of a man who helped to shape the city’s musical landscape. 

Felix Yaniewicz’s name may not be familiar to many, but the Polish-Lithuanian composer and musician was a key player in the Georgian concert halls. Having fled revolution and political upheaval in his homeland of the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth, he arrived in Britain as a young musician determined to prove himself.

Now, his great-great-great-great granddaughter is telling the story of his life, thanks to a chance encounter with one of his square pianos. Who really was Felix Yaniewicz? What was life like for him in Britain? And what is the legacy of his music today?

For more information on the exhibition, click here.

For the December concert series, click here.

Love Scotland

Love Scotland is a podcast series from the National Trust for Scotland.

From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness, the National Trust for Scotland cares for and protects some of Scotland's most significant places and spaces, allowing them to be enjoyed today while protecting them for future generations.

Hosted by TV star and expert broadcaster Jackie Bird, and featuring experts and enthusiasts from all walks of life, each episode delves deep into the detail of Scotland’s history, its wildlife and its landscapes.

You can find out more about the National Trust for Scotland's work and how to support them at http://www.nts.org.uk.

Love Scotland is produced by Think, Big Light and Demus Productions on behalf of the National Trust for Scotland.


Meet the Host

Jackie Bird  avatar
Jackie Bird
Host

    Scottish journalist and broadcaster, Jackie Bird is familiar to many Scots at home and abroad from her time as a BBC Reporting Scotland news anchor. She has been the host of BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay Live, as well Scotland’s Children in Need coverage, as well as a wide range of documentaries. 

    Jackie is passionate about the stories behind Scotland’s history and heritage, and she shares the National Trust for Scotland’s drive to bring a love of Scotland to life.