As the artist-in-residence of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic this season, violinist Ioana Cristina Goicea returns this week (February 27th and 28th, 2025) to the stage of the Romanian Athenaeum to perform Concerto No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra by Sergei Prokofiev. The program also includes "The Firebird" by Igor Stravinsky and the well-known Symphony No. 9, Op. 95, "From the New World" by Antonín Dvořák. The concert will be conducted by the legendary Charles Dutoit.

You will be performing Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2. What is your perspective on this piece?

I adore this concerto. It is a remarkable work-very complex, highly contrasting, and what stands out in particular are its beautiful, lyrical themes, as well as the contrasts, virtuosity, sarcasm… there are so many different characters in this music.

What would you say are the biggest interpretative challenges?

The greatest challenge is the interaction with the orchestra. In a way, this piece has a very chamber-like quality-it is both a soloistic and chamber work. The entire dialogue with the various instruments and the orchestra as a whole is quite a challenge.

Would you say this piece takes you on an emotional journey?

Yes, an incredibly complex emotional journey. The transitions from one emotion to another happen very quickly, and that is something special about this music, because the performer has to take the audience through all these emotions throughout the concerto.

How do you view your collaboration with Charles Dutoit?

He is a maestro of reference, a great conductor, and a great musician. It is truly a pleasure to work with such an extraordinary artist. This is my first time collaborating with him. I am also very happy to perform again with the "George Enescu" Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom I have shared many collaborations over the years.

You are the artist-in-residence of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic this season. What does returning to the Romanian Athenaeum mean to you?

It is a very emotional experience for me because I have been performing here since I was a child-I grew up on this stage, in Bucharest, at the Athenaeum, and also at the Radio Hall. So, coming back home is always something special, and I am very happy to play for an audience that I know and that knows me-a loyal audience.