Do you think that the programme for the anniversary recital represents a "summary" of the Trio Mozaic ensemble's artistic journey, considering the variety of the repertoire that will be performed?

Yes, you could say that, although it is incomplete, for we have also performed contemporary music. A lot of opposites have been written for us. We participated in a festival, it's called Fifteen minutes of fame, where about 20 composers wrote very short pieces and we had a selection and we performed them in concerts. We have experience with contemporary music, and this is missing from the Saturday programme. However, it can be said that we are preoccupied with approaching all genres of music, you see, starting from dance music, American music, French music, the Argentinian tangosput through a french filter (because Piazzolla lived in Paris and was filled with french spirit), but we also have folk music, Romanian music. We try to reach the public at large, not looking for the easy way, a casual kind of music, but one with variety, one that is rich, one that is for all artistic preferences.

When creating the ensemble, what role did university professor Dr. Șerban Dimitrie Soreanu and the violoncellist Wolfgang Laufer, member of the American quartet Fine Arts, play?

They were incredibly important because the first steps were taken under their guidance. I was a collaborator in master Soreanu's class as a student; I wasn't one of his students, but I collaborated with multiple students that he was mentoring. I remember that in the beginning, around 1990, I believe, for the first time, and then in 1992, we were a part of his conferences that were held in Tulcea, at the County's Library. There, we held musical parties and he would tell stories, bring texts, and immerse the public in the musical atmosphere. Therefore, we took our first steps on the stage right there and, of course, he guided us. Following this, the guidance of Wolfgang Laufer, who came back to the country after many years spent in the States, meant a widening of our horizons. Now, I am also a professor, just like my wife, Oana Spânu Vișenescu, and the pianist Diana Spânu Dănilă, respectively; we are in the same position as master Soreanu and master Laufer back then: one where we guide the youth, we encourage them to take this road, to put themselves forth on the stage and to offer them confirmations that are very important at this frail ages. They played an important role, and it's our turn to try to do the same for the younger generations that will take our place.

How was Divertimento No. 3 for clarinet, viola, and piano, written by composer Sabin Păutza and dedicated to you, born?

The music references American culture. The dances are called the Charleston, bossa nova, and ragtime. I think, because he lived for a very long time in America, he was filled with this spirit and I think that this American music "haunted" him. It is at the core of multiple works - the same music, but orchestrated differently. There are different trios for violin, clarinet, piano… There are a lot of divertimentos using the same music, but somehow, orchestrated differently, they have a different sound.

He dedicated it to us because we have a long-standing relationship; he was our conductor at the philharmonic. Master Păutza has an amicable relationship with us, we are very thankful for this trio he dedicated to us.

In this recital, Trio Mozaic shares the stage with the actress Anca Sigartău, the violonist Lucian Gabriel Dănilă, the accordionist Fernando Mihalache, and the contra-bassist Săndel Smărăndescu. What can you tell us about your relationship with the artists who were invited?

This trio - clarinet/saxophone/clarinet bass (I played multiple types of clarinets), violin/viola, and piano - of course, offers multiple possibilities of coloration. That's where our name, Mozaic, comes from. However, we felt the need to enrich it and, of course, approached Piazzolla, who is known to be a bandoneonist, we were missing the bandoneonist sound. In Romania, there is no bandoneonist, but we have Fernando Mihalache and other accordionists. Of course, we approached Fernando, an exceptional musician, Săndel Smărăndescu, our colleague from the philharmonic, contra-bassist, for the low strings and for some incredible colorations that only the contra-bass can offer. We felt the need to add to it. Lucian Gabriel Dănilă is our brother-in-law and we often performed together. We also did a quartet and the need for two violins was palpable because, originally, tangos are made for two violins, two bandoneonists, piano, and contra-bass… And so, somehow, I am the "intruder" when it comes to Piazzolla. However, even when we play together, the colorations mix very well and give it a richer sound.

As for the actors we collaborated with along the way, Anca Sigartău is, of course, one of our favourites. She is an exceptional person; she lives through theater, through poetry. We have an amicable and honest relationship with open hearts. The actress selected some texts, poems by Borges, we even have a text from a book by Șostakovici about his life.

I want, from the bottom of my heart, to invite as many people as possible to come to our concert on Saturday, March 15th, at 19:00, at the Romanian Athenaeum, the Big Hall, to enjoy music, poetry, and texts together. I am convinced that everyone who will come to the concert will have a mark left on them most positively. Everyone needs culture, in any form it may take, so come to share our joy for art at a high level!