From April 7th to April 12th, the international violin competition bearing the name of Ion Voicu, undoubtedly one of the most important Romanian violinists of all time, will take place in Bucharest. Why did you choose this way to honor the memory of your grandfather?

This is clear proof that his memory - as you said, of a great violinist - is imperative to be continued. And so, in the first phase, we found the centennial option, for which we again collaborated very well with Radio România Muzical, recitals throughout the country and abroad and, of course, we have reached this culminating point - the International "Ion Voicu" Competition, which the "Ion Voicu" Cultural Association is holding between April 7th and April 12th.

Following the pre-selection, 24 violinists from 14 countries were admitted to the first round. What were your first impressions of the competitors entered in the competition and from which countries are they from?

They come from America, Italy, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Armenia. It is a very good selection for this first edition in Bucharest. Maestro Bujor Prelipcean, the renowned violinist of the Voces Quartet and director of the "Moldova" Philharmonic in Iași, has organized three other "Ion Voicu" international competitions - one in Piatra Neamț and two in Iași.

The preselection was like at the big competitions, of course, and brought to the first round some very good violinists who are already playing with a personal stamp, which only makes those who had the task of selecting the 24 candidates for the first round very happy.

How did you put together the competition jury?

The president of the jury is Mihaela Martin - a colossal violinist and teacher, who is part of this select circuit of top competitions. She accepted without hesitation. Then we turned to the artistic director, who is George Tudorache, professor at the Liège Conservatory and concertmaster of the Liège Philharmonic Orchestra. He's also the director of the Arthur Grumiaux Competition, so again, a big name. Next up are Lucie Robert from the Manhattan Academy in New York, Pavel Vernikov and, of course, Alexandru Tomescu, who also plays the Stradivarius Elder-Voicu violin.

In the second round, the contestants will have to perform a work composed by Ion Voicu, choosing between "The Morning After the Wedding" and "In memoriam Enescu". What challenges do you think they will face in performing these works?

The works are not necessarily problematic in terms of technique. In 'The Morning After the Wedding" you have to clearly imagine that people are coming from a wedding, they are tired, they are in the mood. Both works are in the traditional Romanian folkloric folkloric style and here, apart from the scores, which obviously have to be respected, I let everyone to interpret according to their own personality and possibilities. From an artistic point of view, I did not impose anything; only the score, if you respect it, things are in conformity. Usually, these authentic folkloric works, Romanian classics, are difficult to interpret, not to perform, so to speak.

The final of the competition will take place at the Romanian Athenaeum on April 12th, where the contestants will perform a violin concerto with the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. What prizes will the winners get?

They will receive cash prizes. First prize is €6,000, second prize €4,000 and third prize €2,000. There will also be a special prize for the best interpretation of my grandfather's work. And they obviously have an appearance with an orchestra from the country in the following season, according to the programs of each orchestra, as it happens in every major competition.

How do you think this approach will contribute to perpetuating the memory of violinist Ion Voicu?

That is a very good question and I thank you for it. I was raised by Ion and Madeleine Voicu. They are my grandparents to whom I first called mom and dad. They fully deserve this gratitude from me. It is a project that has taken years of work and preparation, dedicated to Ion Voicu's meteoric career. He has played on all continents, with all philharmonic orchestras, with Oistrah, Barbirolli and André Previn. He also played with famous Romanian conductors - Gogu Georgescu, Silvestri, Ionel Perlea, Basarab, Iosif Conta, of course, with whom he had a very close friendship. Together, they toured all over the world - from La Scala to Vienna, Paris, London, New York, Indianapolis, Seattle, Seattle, Washington, Tokyo, Beijing. Ion Voicu richly deserves such a project, which will take place every two years - 2025, 2027 and so on, so as not to overlap with the Enescu Competition. The conductor of the final is Maestro Gabriel Bebeșelea, to whom I am grateful.

On the other hand, Diana Moș - rector of the National University of Music in Bucharest, Maestro Marin Cazacu - director of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic, who for years has never once said "no, it can't be done", are among those who have advised me and with whom I have worked very well. Last but not least, I would like to mention Cristina Uruc, the director of the "George Enescu" International Festival and Competition, who, apart from giving me some exceptional advice which I have taken on board and which has helped me enormously, has facilitated meetings with possible partners and for that I am grateful to her.