Weronika Janyst
I work as a harpsichord technician, tuner and conservator of historical keyboard instruments, combining craftsmanship with a performer’s perspective; providing professional services to institutions, festivals, and ensembles across Poland and abroad. Currently, I am responsible for the historical keyboard instruments at the Uniwersytet Muzyczny Fryderyka Chopina in Warsaw.
​
My interest in the technical aspects of historical keyboards developed alongside my performance training as a harpsichordist (HMT in Leipzig) and organist (UMFC in Warsaw). A formative moment was an Erasmus+ traineeship at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig, where I worked as a curator of historical keyboard instruments, caring for an extensive university collection including harpsichords, virginals, chamber organs, clavichords and historical fortepianos. In addition, I completed a carpentry course as well as postgraduate studies in wood conservation at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.
​
I have gained further experience through collaboration with builders, restorers and technicians in Poland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. This includes a placement at Zuckermann Harpsichords International in Stonington and an ongoing cooperation with SLJ Budowa Organów in Pruszcz GdaÅ„ski. I also work regularly at the Atelier Marc Ducornet in Paris.
​
My hands-on projects include building instruments such as a harpsichord, spinet and ottavino from kits, as well as participating in numerous renovation and restoration projects in Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the UK and the US.
​
My professional activity includes work for the Warsaw Philharmonic, the Polish Radio and the Royal Castle in Warsaw, as well as for international festivals such as Bachfest Leipzig and Wratislavia Cantans. I have also worked on CD recordings in Poland and the United Kingdom and contributed to orchestral projects of the European Union Baroque Orchestra, where I also served as a tutor.
​
Alongside my technical work, I am involved in education, teaching both harpsichord performance and instrument maintenance at the UMFC, as well as sharing knowledge about harpsichords at various events.
​
I remain active as a harpsichordist and continuo player, most regularly as an accompanist and tutor during the Summer Methodical Courses of Early Music in Warsaw.
​
My harpsichord performance experience – recognised with several prizes at harpsichord competitions in Vilnius, PoznaÅ„ and Kraków – directly informs my technical work, allowing me to approach each project with the needs of the musician, repertoire and the style of an instrument in mind.