The event will take place on Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM. In the second part of her conversation with our colleague Ariadna Ene-Iliescu, the young pianist shares, among other things, what Sala Radio means to her artistic journey, her thoughts on the "Heirs of Musical Romania" project, and extends an invitation to the Bucharest audience.

The stage of Sala Radio holds special meaning for you. It's where you first performed as a soloist at just 9 years old, alongside the Radio Chamber Orchestra. What does it feel like to return to that stage?

It truly is a place close to my heart. It's the stage that gave me confidence and marked my first big project-one I consider a gift. Back then, I didn't really understand what was happening to me. In fact, for many years I didn't. I only realized what that moment truly meant when I was 18 and watched the recording. I couldn't believe I'd been capable of something like that at 9... and, years later, another gift followed. The first came from Mrs. Rodica Sava, through the "Musicians of Today, Musicians of Tomorrow" project. The next one came during the pandemic, right after concert halls reopened: an invitation from Mrs. Cristina Comandașu to join "The Heirs of Musical Romania" project, performing with cellist Andrei Ioniță. That was in 2021-and since then, many memories have been made. This is one of the projects that has truly brought me home, together with musicians I've loved sharing the stage with-95% of the time, right here at Sala Radio. I always come back with great joy. It's the major concert hall in Bucharest that holds a special place in my soul-I still remember the hallways, the sofas, from when I was a child, and it all felt like another world.

You're currently a collaborative pianist at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin, and you've also served as an official accompanist in the cello section of the George Enescu International Competition. What would you say are the essential qualities for this kind of role?

It's hard to make a definitive list of qualities, so I'll speak from personal experience. First and foremost, you need a deep desire to connect with people, to truly care about them, and to have the will to make music with them. For me, chamber music was key in helping me overcome stage fright and all the negative emotions that came with being a solo performer. It might sound like a paradox, but playing with others taught me that what happens on stage is not about me-it's about the music, about the message we're trying to convey to the audience. We are simply the messengers. And maybe we're meant to be talked about after the performance, but not necessarily before it.

At the concert on June 10, I hope people come to listen to Brahms' F major Sonata, Debussy's Sonata for Cello and Piano-music we love deeply. And only after that can we talk about interpretations, about everything that happens on a human level. That's what chamber music has taught me-to go beyond the personal barrier and enjoy being on stage, whether as a soloist or as part of an ensemble. I believe that's the most important thing when you spend 6, 10, even 12 hours a day working alongside people with different backgrounds, motivations, and stages of development-people who need not just your musical attention, but your personal presence as well. There's never any room for routine in the life of a collaborative pianist.

It sounds like a life lesson, not just a musical one...

For me, it absolutely is-a life lesson I would never give up. I'm at a point where I can say with confidence that this path, to a greater or lesser extent, will accompany me for the rest of my life.

As you mentioned, you've taken part in numerous recitals under the "Heirs of Musical Romania" series, performing alongside young artists such as Maria Marica, Valentin Șerban, or Andrei Ioniță. What do you think is the significance of this project?

I've said it many times: the greatest gift, the most meaningful prize you can give a young artist is to put them on stage. This project not only offers opportunities to perform at concert halls across the country and in Bucharest-at the Athenaeum or Sala Radio-but it also brings many young Romanian musicians home. Whether they're scholarship recipients or part of the "Heirs of Musical Romania" tour, there's no experience more valuable than this. I'm sure every musician who has taken part in this project would agree: for many of us, this is how we returned to Bucharest.

What message would you like to share with the audience ahead of your June 10 recital?

After the experience of the recent "Hoinar" Festival here in Bucharest, I can happily say: the storm has passed. We're finally enjoying a moment of calm, a bit of a breather. I believe the weather will continue to improve, and really-there's no reason not to join us at Sala Radio on June 10. We'll be sharing music that we love deeply-so rich and diverse, with personal meaning for both me and Jan. This program shaped us as a duo, and includes true gems: a Brahms jewel, a Debussy jewel… They are entirely different worlds-infused with Eastern colors, Germanic soundscapes-and we'll close with Sarasate's famous Zigeunerweisen. I hope we can enjoy these sounds together, and I look forward to seeing you at Sala Radio on June 10th.