> [Archived] Chronicles
The second edition of the 'Duel of the Violins' National Tour
Stradivarius and Guarneri - two collectable violins - and two international renowned artists who play them masterfully, Liviu Prunaru and Gabriel Croitoru, will duel each other, with pianist Horia Mihail as judge, during the second edition of the 'Duel of the Violins' National Tour. Between 12th and 25th September, those who did not have the opportunity to attend the first edition, will be able to enjoy the extraordinary sound of the two collectable violins and an attractive repertoire in cities such as Galati, Iasi, Bacau, Pitesti, Bucharest, Ploiesti, Sibiu, Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca.
The Stradivarius violin, build by the famous Italian luthier in 1694, is made available to Liviu Prunaru by the famous Royal Concertgebouw orchestra from Amsterdam, whose concert master he has been for the past six years. The Guerneri del Gesu violin, dating from 1730, is the instruments that none other than George Enescu played, and it's made available to violinist Gabriel Croitoru by the 'George Enescu' National Museum, in whose heritage it belongs. The two instruments will compete during a generous programme, with works by Johannes Brahms, Bedűich Smetana, Fritz Kreisler, Dmitri Shostakovich, Georg Friedrich Händel, Sergei Prokofiev etc.
Tickets can be bought from the box office of the concert halls where the recitals will take place, and in Bucharest also on the website www.bilete.ro. Further details on www.duelulviorilor.ro.
Recitals programme
J. Brahms: Scherzo for violin and piano (Liviu Punaru - Horia Mihail)
B. Smetana: 'Aus der Heimat' for violin and piano (Liviu Punaru - Horia Mihail)
Fr. Kreisler: 'Tambourine chinoise' for violin and piano, Op. 3 (Gabriel Croitoru - Horia Mihail)
Ed. Elgar: 'Salut d'amour' for violin and piano, Op. 12 (Gabriel Croitoru - Horia Mihail)
J. Svendsen: Violin Romance for violin and piano, Op. 26 (Liviu Punaru - Horia Mihail)
Jenő Hubay: 'Hejre Kati' for violin and piano, Op. 32 (Liviu Punaru - Horia Mihail)
D. Șostakovici: 'Valse' from 'Suite No. 2' (arrangement for violin and piano by Mugurel Scutareanu) (Gabriel Croitoru - Horia Mihail)
P. de Sarasate: 'Carmen Fantasy' for violin and piano, Op. 25 (Gabriel Croitoru - Horia Mihail)
G. Fr. Händel: Sonata for two violins and piano in G minor, Op. 2 No. 7
S. Prokofiev: Sonata for two violins in C major, Op. 56
M. Moszkowski: Suite, for 2 violins and piano, Op 71 - I. Allegro energico
The dates and places of the concerts
Galati - 'Fani Tardini' Dramatic Theatre - 12th September
Iasi - Philharmonic Hall - 13th September
Bacau - Athenaeum - 16th September
Pitesti - Cultural House of Trade-Unions - 17th September
Bucharest - Radio Hall - 19th September
Ploiesti - Philharmonic Hall - 20th September
Sibiu - Thalia Hall - 22nd September
Timisoara - Capitol Hall - 23rd September
Cluj-Napoca - Hungarian Opera House - 25th September
Every concert begins at 7 p.m.
Translated by Florina Sămulescu
MTTLC, Bucharest University