The Enescu Society in London has invited two remarkable musicians Horia Vacarescu (violin) and Constantin Sandu (piano) to give a recital in this established concert series.
Programme: A. Corelli / F. Kreisler: La Folia L. van Beethoven: Sonata in A Major, Op.47 "Kreutzer" E. Chausson: Poème G. Enescu: Sonata no.2 in F minor, Op.6
Horia Vacarescu is a violinist that brings something new to the musical scene. Combining a high mastery of the instrument that reminds of a past era with a "young and fresh" approach, his performances are a delight and always received with enthusiasm by his audience. He is enjoying an international career as a soloist and a chamber musician. Born in Bucharest in a musical family, he started playing the violin at the age of three. He currently lives in London and studies on the Masters programme at the Royal College of Music with professor Levon Chilingirian, on a scholarship. He previously studied with Professor Paul Ratz at the National Music University in Bucharest, and later with reputable Romanian violinist Eugen Sarbu, in London. Horia made his symphonic debut when he was 15 and presently he has a busy schedule performing in venues across Europe. Although now based in London, he hasn't lost touch with his native Romania, visiting frequently the Philharmonic Orchestras over there. In London he has played in venues such as Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, Purcell Room, St. Margaret's Church Westminster, St. John's Smith Square and others. Horia Vacarescu played on three continents and in 1994 he was part of a small team of young Romanian artists chosen to perform in the USA, at venues that included the White House. Music festivals in which he was a guest: City of London Festival, Chilingirian ChamberFest (England), Tenby Arts Festival (Wales), Nuova Musica Consonante (Romania), Fimu Festival (France) and Verbier Festival (Switzerland). He has recorded and gave live performances for the National Romanian Radio & TV. Horia Vacarescu is a scholar supported by a Joan Weller Award, the Ratiu Family Foundation and Stoica & Associates - attorneys at law. He plays a fine old Italian violin by Jacob Horil of Rome made in 1730, kindly loaned by Florian Leonhard Fine Violins. Recently, Horia started a fruitful collaboration with illustrious Romanian pianist Constantin Sandu, who lives in Portugal. They started their concert series with a programme that renders homage to the genius of Romanian composer and musician George Enescu.
Constantin Sandu was born in Bucharest, in 1964, and started studying the piano at the age of seven, with professor Sonia Ratescu. He started his career as a soloist with orchestra at the age of 14. Since then, he has been involved in an intense musical activity - hundreds of recitals, chamber music and concerts with orchestra - in several European and Asian countries, having had favourable appreciation from both the public and the critics. Constantin had masterclasses with and received advice from personalities such as Helena Sá e Costa, Sequeira Costa, Dimitri Bashkirov and Tania Achot. He holds several awards at international competitions and he has participated in important festivals (Bucharest, Paris, Santander). He is a regular guest soloist of the most significant Romanian orchestras, such as: "George Enescu" - Bucharest, "Transilvania" - Cluj, "Oltenia" - Craiova Philharmonics. He has also played with noteworthy European orchestras, such as: Arthur Rubinstein - Lodz, Halle Philharmonic, Bodensee Orchestra - Konstanz, National Orchestra of Belarus, Symphonic Orchestra of Radio-television of Kiev, National Philharmonic of Moldavia, National Orchestra of Porto. He recorded several CDs - Beethoven (2001), Albeniz and Gershwin (2002), Portuguese and Romanian piano music (2005), Mozart and A. J. Fernandes Concertos (2009) and other collective or chamber music works. Constantin Sandu has lived in Portugal since 1991 and currently teaches the piano at the Porto Higher School of Music and the Performing Arts.
The Enescu Society was established by the Romanian Cultural Institute in 2007 under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Margarita of Romania.
The Institute runs the Enescu Society Concerts Season from October to June, on the first Thursday of each month. The concert stage of the Institute hosts outstanding musicians performing George Enescu's music alongside an international repertoire.
From September 2009 the Romanian Cultural Institute awards the Enescu Society sholarship to a student at the Royal Academy of Music.
When: Thursday, 4 March 2010, 7-9 pm;
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, London
Admission is free, but places are limited. Early booking is well recommended.
Please reserve your seats at T: 020 7752 0134, E: office@icr-london.co.uk.
Latecomers will be admitted at the interval.