Teodora Brody will perform at the Romanian Athenaeum next Tuesday, on the 25^th of November, at 7 p.m. The theme of the recital is from Mozart to Django Reinhardt, for which Teodora will collaborate with the Violoncellissimo ensemble, led by Marin Cazacu, as well as with the pianist Cătălin Răducanu and the conductor Andrei Petrache. For more details about the event, we are talking to Teodora herself, whom we welcome back to Radio România Muzical.

I am delighted that we are together and have the opportunity to discuss about this new project.

What does From Mozart to Django Reinhardt bring to you that is new compared to your past projects?

Your question reminds me of the first project in which I dared to bring this fusion, to bring the ancestral voice of Romanian doina to the jazz scene. In the early 90s, around 1994-1995, when I did this, without knowing it at the time, I pioneered this genre that would come to be called ethno-jazz. At that time, American jazz was dominating the scene, I played a lot of Ella Fitzgerald, and then Maria Tănase came along, and I combined Ella and Maria and something new came out of it. From there, I embarked on a journey in which I honed my skills, without knowing exactly what lay ahead and now, a few years ago, I launched my next project, which represents another pillar in a new fusion that also incorporates classical and symphonic music. So, this ethno-jazz, together with jazz improvisation is dressed in symphonic garb. This is the Rhapsody project, which I recorded and performed with the famous London Symphony Orchestra. Rhapsody has built this bridge between classical, jazz, doina, ethno-jazz, improvisation and spontaneity, all dressed in a symphonic form. Today I'm here with a new project From Mozart to Django Reinhardt. A project that takes the exploration even further, from Mozart type of harmony to the passionate fire of jazz. Crossing soundscapes, eras where classical meets Romanian roots music, topped with improvisation, all coming together in a natural way. In short, this new project brings a breath of freedom. Enescu and Bartok, whose vocal versions I premiered, came out of a need to affirm my roots. Looking at Mozart and Django, it came out of my curiosity of the new, I feel like I'm playing a serious game with the sound.

Please, introduce us to the artists you will be working with for From Mozart to Django Reinhardt.

Without knowing why, I have always loved the sound of the cello and now, as life always does, it brings us face to face with people and situations with whom we continue a part of our lives, either shorter or longer. So I found myself collaborating with maestro Marin Cazacu and the Violoncellissimo ensemble, and I am very excited. I have also met some fantastic musicians, first and foremost Andrei Petrache, who orchestrated these visions that include the reinvention of Mozart and Beethoven, uniting these worlds, which I have been carrying with me for some time. This vision of mine which Andrei Petrache knew how to bring it into this context with such great knowledge and intuition, and I am very excited about this meeting. Andrei Petrache is an extraordinary pianist, conductor, arranger and composer. The pianist Cătălin Răducanu, whom I did not know before, I had only heard of him, and now that I have met him and working with him and rehearsing. With each rehearsal, I enjoy it more and more. It is a great surprise for me. I am also collaborating with Bogdan Pop, the Violoncelissimo's ensemble percussionist, whom I am getting to know better with every rehearsal and I really like it, and with Adrian Flautistu, the bassist with whom I collaborate very nicely and they bring this jazzy atmosphere to his classical music context. I am very excited.

What kind of feelings does this new encounter with the Romanian people bring to you?

You know how it is, that feeling when you're away and you return, that feeling of home, which becomes more and more complex, more complete, more nuanced. There's a lot of joy and a lot of gratitude. I can't wait.

Now, talking about other projects, how was your recent reunion with the guitarist and pianist Stanley Jordan?

Yes, I recently had an impromptu concert with Stanly Jordan in Switzerland. My first concert in the new city in which I moved, Lugano, was great success. I am very happy and grateful for that. Here I am now, back in Romania, continuing with the project we will present on the 25^th of November at the Romanian Athenaeum with Violoncellissimo and the trio Cătălin Răducanu(piano), Bogdan Pop(percussion) and Adrian Flautistu(double bass). I look forward to seeing you all there.