| Les Virtuoses Romantiques |
| A spectacular ensemble exploring the eclectic repertoire of the 19th century virtuoso, whose music was inspired by folk or popular idioms - from Paganini and Sarasate to Kreisler and Gershwin |
| "Carried to this point of perfection, the brilliance becomes undeniably grandiose, and the entertainment value of such a varied program creates an intoxicating excitement. A feast!" |
Les Virtuoses Romantiques
| MILAN, CORRIERE DELLA SERA (New Year's concert for the city of Milan) |
| Florin Moldoveanu - violin Cléna Stein - double bass Dennis Ferry - trumpet Andrea Bandini - trombone Adrian Kreda - piano |
Ever since Paganini convinced his audience that his extraordinary powers came straight from the devil himself, the
public has been enthralled by the great virtuosi. In a delightful evening of joy and dazzling musical acrobatics,
"Les Virtuoses Romantiques" presents a panorama of the genre. Charming miniatures from the Belle Epoque are
followed by grand opera fantasies from the 19th century, spectacular variations are followed by passionate duos of
love. The pulse and vitality of folk dance radiates through their concerts - the zapateado of Spain, the mazurka of
Poland, or the waltz of Vienna. "Les Virtuoses Romantiques" join all together at the end of the concert, crossing
over into the popular idioms of the early 20th century with the jazz of George Gershwin or Duke Ellington, the tango, or
even the klezmer music of Eastern Europe.
All soloists with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, "Les Virtuoses Romantiques" have enchanted the public
throughout Europe for over 20 years with their generous evenings of music-making, appearing on television, radio,
and in concert. They record for Harmunia Mundi France.
The Television Suisse Romande has recorded a 30 - minute show of "Les Virtuoses Romantiques" with the violinist
Raphaël Oleg.
public has been enthralled by the great virtuosi. In a delightful evening of joy and dazzling musical acrobatics,
"Les Virtuoses Romantiques" presents a panorama of the genre. Charming miniatures from the Belle Epoque are
followed by grand opera fantasies from the 19th century, spectacular variations are followed by passionate duos of
love. The pulse and vitality of folk dance radiates through their concerts - the zapateado of Spain, the mazurka of
Poland, or the waltz of Vienna. "Les Virtuoses Romantiques" join all together at the end of the concert, crossing
over into the popular idioms of the early 20th century with the jazz of George Gershwin or Duke Ellington, the tango, or
even the klezmer music of Eastern Europe.
All soloists with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, "Les Virtuoses Romantiques" have enchanted the public
throughout Europe for over 20 years with their generous evenings of music-making, appearing on television, radio,
and in concert. They record for Harmunia Mundi France.
The Television Suisse Romande has recorded a 30 - minute show of "Les Virtuoses Romantiques" with the violinist
Raphaël Oleg.
| The Press |
Zurich
"Dennis Ferry plays with sparkling elegance and breath-taking
panache!"
Geneva
"Florin Moldoveanu brought depth to the works of high-voltage
virtuosity, and tenderness to the romantic pieces, without giving in to
excess sentimentality."
Lugano
"An immense success!"
"Dennis Ferry plays with sparkling elegance and breath-taking
panache!"
Geneva
"Florin Moldoveanu brought depth to the works of high-voltage
virtuosity, and tenderness to the romantic pieces, without giving in to
excess sentimentality."
Lugano
"An immense success!"
| The Repertoire |
Eastern Europe
Wieniawski, Brahms, Kreisler, and klezmer (the music of the 19th century Jewish virtuoso and very
similar to gypsy music)
Spain and the Latin World
Sarasate (Malaguena, Habanera, Zapateado, etc.), Bizet's "Carmen", the music from the "corrida"
for trumpet, tangos, milongas, paso doblés, and the "Rumba" of George Gershwin
Italy
Giovanni Bottesini (Gran duo concertante, Passione amorosa, etc.), variations and fantasies on
opera themes (Verdi, Donizetti, etc) and, of course, "The Carnival of Venise"
America
George Gershwin (Porgy and Bess, etc), the duos for cornet and trombone from the
turn-of-the-century (reminiscent of summer days in the park, blue skies above, and picnic lunches
on the grass!), the Charleston, and the jazz of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
***Special program for Valentine's Day***
"Passione amorosa" of Bottesini, "Romanza andaluza" of Sarasate, "Liebesleid" and
"Liebesfreud" of Kreisler, Gershwin, tangos, etc.
"If you believe "Les Virtuoses Romantiques", the impetus for love surges
through music. The listeners who packed into the Conservatory agreed : Never
in the memory of concert-goers has this majestic hall ever reverberated with so
many kisses!"
Journal de Genève
Wieniawski, Brahms, Kreisler, and klezmer (the music of the 19th century Jewish virtuoso and very
similar to gypsy music)
Spain and the Latin World
Sarasate (Malaguena, Habanera, Zapateado, etc.), Bizet's "Carmen", the music from the "corrida"
for trumpet, tangos, milongas, paso doblés, and the "Rumba" of George Gershwin
Italy
Giovanni Bottesini (Gran duo concertante, Passione amorosa, etc.), variations and fantasies on
opera themes (Verdi, Donizetti, etc) and, of course, "The Carnival of Venise"
America
George Gershwin (Porgy and Bess, etc), the duos for cornet and trombone from the
turn-of-the-century (reminiscent of summer days in the park, blue skies above, and picnic lunches
on the grass!), the Charleston, and the jazz of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
***Special program for Valentine's Day***
"Passione amorosa" of Bottesini, "Romanza andaluza" of Sarasate, "Liebesleid" and
"Liebesfreud" of Kreisler, Gershwin, tangos, etc.
"If you believe "Les Virtuoses Romantiques", the impetus for love surges
through music. The listeners who packed into the Conservatory agreed : Never
in the memory of concert-goers has this majestic hall ever reverberated with so
many kisses!"
Journal de Genève
| The Musicians |
Cléna Stein - double bass
Cléna Stein, founder of "Les Virtuoses Romantiques", shares her
birthday with Fritz Kreisler, Jascha Heifetz and Kurt Weil. The works of all
three are part of the repertoire of this ensemble.
Florin Moldoveanu - violin
Florin Moldoveanu is descended from a dynasty of gypsy musicians. The
brilliant pyrotechnics of Paganini or Sarasate seem to roll off his violin
effortlessly with a wink of the eye. Born in Bucarest, he began the violin
at the age of 7. Three years later, he won the national "Ciprian
Porumbescu Competition" and performed for the first time as soloist with
orchestra. Florin obtained the Virtuosity Diploma (First Prize with
congradulations from the jury) and the "Licence de concert" from the
Conservatory of Lausanne. He is concertmaster of the Sinfonietta and a
member of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romance.
Dennis Ferry - cornet
Dennis Ferry began his musical education with his father, a jazz
trumpeter. He is the Principal Trumpet of the Orchestre de la Suisse
Romande, having held the same position in the orchestras of Rotterdam,
Düsseldorf and Jerusalem. In addition, he was also the Principal Trumpet
of the Colorado Music Festival (USA) for 14 years.
Cléna Stein, founder of "Les Virtuoses Romantiques", shares her
birthday with Fritz Kreisler, Jascha Heifetz and Kurt Weil. The works of all
three are part of the repertoire of this ensemble.
Florin Moldoveanu - violin
Florin Moldoveanu is descended from a dynasty of gypsy musicians. The
brilliant pyrotechnics of Paganini or Sarasate seem to roll off his violin
effortlessly with a wink of the eye. Born in Bucarest, he began the violin
at the age of 7. Three years later, he won the national "Ciprian
Porumbescu Competition" and performed for the first time as soloist with
orchestra. Florin obtained the Virtuosity Diploma (First Prize with
congradulations from the jury) and the "Licence de concert" from the
Conservatory of Lausanne. He is concertmaster of the Sinfonietta and a
member of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romance.
Dennis Ferry - cornet
Dennis Ferry began his musical education with his father, a jazz
trumpeter. He is the Principal Trumpet of the Orchestre de la Suisse
Romande, having held the same position in the orchestras of Rotterdam,
Düsseldorf and Jerusalem. In addition, he was also the Principal Trumpet
of the Colorado Music Festival (USA) for 14 years.
| Cléna Stein c Copyright 2006 |
A specialist in baroque music, he performs on the natural trumpet with the best baroque groups of the moment, such as "Les
Arts Florissants", "La Chapelle Royale" and "The Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra". Dennis records regularly for EMI and
Harmonia Mundi. His two CDs as soloist were met with great success. As a teacher, he has given Master Classes in the US,
Holland and Switzerland. His publications include a book on the art of the orchestral trumpet and also many arrangements for
brass ensembles.
Andrea Bandini, trombone
Andrea Bandini was born in Sienna, Italy. His musical studies were done in Florence and then in Geneva, where he obtained
the prize of "Virtuosité with distinction". Since 1986, Andrea has been the Principal Trombone of the Orchestre de la Suisse
Romande. Professor at the Conservatory of Geneva, he remains very active in the domaine of chamber music.
Adrian Kreda, piano
Adrian Kreda gave his first recital at the age of 10. Winner of several competitions, he performed live on the National
Television of Argentina. Receiving a grant from the Polish government, he studied for four years at the Krakow Music
Academy with Eva Bukojemska. He was awarded the Virtuosity Prize from the Geneva Conservatory in 1992. Adrian has
performed recitals throughout Europe and has recorded three CDs. In Poland, he gave the premiere of the Concerto No. 1 of
Alberto Ginastera with the Poznan Philharmonique Orchestra and has recorded with the "Polish Piano Quartet". Adrian
teaches at the Geneva Conservatory. He is very active as a composer and also as a tango musician.
Arts Florissants", "La Chapelle Royale" and "The Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra". Dennis records regularly for EMI and
Harmonia Mundi. His two CDs as soloist were met with great success. As a teacher, he has given Master Classes in the US,
Holland and Switzerland. His publications include a book on the art of the orchestral trumpet and also many arrangements for
brass ensembles.
Andrea Bandini, trombone
Andrea Bandini was born in Sienna, Italy. His musical studies were done in Florence and then in Geneva, where he obtained
the prize of "Virtuosité with distinction". Since 1986, Andrea has been the Principal Trombone of the Orchestre de la Suisse
Romande. Professor at the Conservatory of Geneva, he remains very active in the domaine of chamber music.
Adrian Kreda, piano
Adrian Kreda gave his first recital at the age of 10. Winner of several competitions, he performed live on the National
Television of Argentina. Receiving a grant from the Polish government, he studied for four years at the Krakow Music
Academy with Eva Bukojemska. He was awarded the Virtuosity Prize from the Geneva Conservatory in 1992. Adrian has
performed recitals throughout Europe and has recorded three CDs. In Poland, he gave the premiere of the Concerto No. 1 of
Alberto Ginastera with the Poznan Philharmonique Orchestra and has recorded with the "Polish Piano Quartet". Adrian
teaches at the Geneva Conservatory. He is very active as a composer and also as a tango musician.