The winner of the 2023 edition of the "Heirs of Musical Romania" scholarship will perform a special recital at the Radio Hall on Thursday, June 6th, at 7 PM. Pianist Nil Mladin will present a program characterized by tumult and introspection, featuring works that are very well-known but rarely played on Romanian stages: Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata Op. 53 "Waldstein," Johannes Brahms' 7 Fantasies Op. 116, and Olivier Messiaen's "Le baiser de l'Enfant Jésus."

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied with Joanna MacGregor and Florian Mitrea, pianist Nil Mladin participated in the competition for the "Heirs of Musical Romania" scholarship from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, the jury awarded him a scholarship worth €4,000, along with other professional benefits, including a recording session at the Radio Hall, scheduled for July 2024, and the recital happening in the same venue on June 6th, 2024, both offered by Radio Romania Muzical.

Nil Mladin (25 years old) began his musical education at the "George Enescu" National College of Music in Bucharest. During his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received a full scholarship, he stood out for the diversity of his projects and dynamic approach, constantly venturing into new musical territories.

Nil Mladin: "I chose to open the program with the Waldstein Sonata, which serves as a majestic gateway into the musical narrative of the evening. It's a piece that embodies Olympic grandeur, music fit for the gods. At the same time, with this work, I wanted to bring a dose of optimism and vitality, in contrast to the second piece, Brahms' Fantasies, which introduces a shift in tone and atmosphere. These fantasies are an exploration of a wide range of emotions and inner states, offering the audience moments for reflection and introspection. They perfectly complement the initial energy of the program with emotional and psychological depth.

For the closing of the recital, I decided to return to the realm of spirituality with a piece very dear to me, "Le Baiser de l'Enfant-Jésus" by Olivier Messiaen, from the cycle "Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus." I had the opportunity and the pleasure to delve deeper into Messiaen's music under the guidance of Professor Joanna MacGregor, one of the few contemporary experts on Messiaen's music. I'm fascinated by Messiaen's compositional style, the elements he employs, and the sound effects he creates. In the piece I chose, we encounter some of Messiaen's essential elements: "Thème de Dieu," one of the four Christian leitmotifs that permeate the entire cycle. Then, there's the birdsong effect, reflecting Messiaen's well-known interest in studying and incorporating birdsong into his compositions, as well as the bell effect, which is not unique to Messiaen but also present, for instance, in George Enescu's "Carillon Nocturne." Therefore, these pieces share many connections, offering at the same time a wide stylistic diversity.

I'm looking forward to this recital and warmly invite you all to join me on this truly special musical journey."

Tickets for the June 6th recital are available on the www.myticket.ro and www.entertix.ro platforms and at the Radio Hall box office.

"The "Heirs of Musical Romania" project

...organized by Radio România Muzical and Rotary Club Pipera, has developed in recent years in two directions. The first direction aims to bring young and exceptional Romanian musicians, who have significant international careers but are rarely heard in their home country, onto prestigious Romanian stages. The recitals in this project target a broad audience, featuring an accessible repertoire and lasting one hour without a break.

Since 2018, almost 30 concerts and recitals have been held, showcasing talents like cellist Andrei Ioniță, violinist Ioana Cristina Goicea, cellist Valentin Răduțiu, and pianists Florian Mitrea, Adela Liculescu, and Axia Marinescu. Additionally, two albums have been released under the same project by Casa Radio Publishing House, featuring highlights from these recitals.

The second direction that the project has taken is the establishment of the "Heirs of Musical Romania" scholarship. In 2020, Radio România Muzical and Rotary Club Pipera introduced the "Heirs of Musical Romania" scholarship for young musicians aged 16 to 24. Among the recipients of the 4,000 euro scholarship were pianist Cadmiel Boțac (2020), cellist Cornelius Zirbo (2021), pianist Kira Frolu (2022), and pianist Nil Mladin (2023). Applications for the 2024 edition are now open, with the scholarship valued at 4,500 euros. The finalists who have distinguished themselves in the competition for the "Heirs of Musical Romania" scholarship have also enjoyed numerous other professional benefits: recitals, concerts, recordings, and representation in international competitions, as proposed by the jury members.

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