In the evening of Friday, October 4th, 2024, in the Main Square of ParkLake Mall in Bucharest, the audience listened to violinist Alexandru Tomescu and guitarist Dragoș Ilie in a highly artistic recital. In the rush typical of malls, spectators of all ages were drawn in the music, creating a space almost like a concert hall, where those present listened magnetized while they were experiencing the emotions transmitted by the two performers.

Organized by Radio România Muzical and ParkLake Shopping Center, the recital entitled "Classical music for all" proposed a unique program - sonatas for violin and guitar from cycle op. 2 by Niccolò Paganini, the musical moments being accompanied by relevant interventions provided by Alexandru Tomescu. The violinist did talk to the audience with a friendly tone, bringing the listeners closer to the works performed through interesting stories about the composer. Chosen encore - Romanian folk dances by Béla Bartók, in an arrangement dedicated to the two instruments. Also, those present had the opportunity to meet Alexandru Tomescu and Dragoș Ilie when, after the end of the recital, the two offered autographs on their records.

After the concert ended, I collected some impressions from the audience.

Sebastian Gheorghiu, cultural manager and director of IconArts:

"I very much approve of this kind of events because, very often, the public does not come to certain concert halls because... maybe they are embarrassed, maybe they have a certain inferiority complex... And such events are exactly for to show that, in fact, we are all allowed and entitled to enjoy classical music."

Other opinions from those present, taken by Ioana Țintea:

How do you like the idea of watching a classical music recital in a mall?

"Extraordinary! I don't know if the mall is necessarily appropriate, but, with certainty, in this way many people have access to classical music, and young people in this case."

"I find it very interesting and beneficial for all kinds of people - both those who listen to music and those who are newer to the scene."

"Extraordinary and educational for both us adults and children. Relaxing, especially since the weekend is coming. And... the more concerts like this, the better for everyone."

"I usually listen to Radio România Muzical and I really like it! I only got to the second part of the recital, but I can say that I really liked Paganini and Béla Bartók as well. Impressive!"

"It's something new! I don't know to what extent the public is ready for something like this, but for me it's a wonderful experience. Anyway, I was very surprised! I came for something else entirely tonight. I didn't know this event was happening, and the moment I saw Alexandru Tomescu's name, it seemed almost unreal!"

"It seems to me an unusual, original idea! I would not have expected that in such a place you can listen to classical music, but I think it is welcome because, at least in this way, people who usually come to the mall can see that there is other life than shopping and socializing at the mall."

"Amazing! OMG! Who came up with such an idea? When you know it's hard to organize an evening at a concert and you don't get to the hall to see such artists, for me it's very emotional that I had the opportunity to listen to them at the mall. I am very happy, it is magnificent! Do more events like this! You guys are great and make beautiful shows!"

"It's a little unusual because it's noisy around, but I'm glad! This is how the music also reaches people who come to the mall and do not frequent the concert halls. Anyway, I have never heard Alexandru Tomescu with a guitarist before. Sounds good, very interesting! I have only seen Tomescu sing at the Ateneu. Otherwise, I have never seen it in a more informal setting, but it seems to me a very good initiative!"

"It's awesome and so much more relaxing! I heard 5 minutes of classical music here on other occasion as well. They're pretty much every day, but you have to time it because they're usually not at the same time."

"This event is great. We are very happy, especially for the little one, that he can see classical music artists outside of a philharmonic or the Athenaeum, and we are very pleased that you managed to organize this recital right here, in a mall, where it is not necessarily a great acoustics, but... sounds perfect because of the amplification."