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 12^th and 25^th 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, Bedřich 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. Şostakovici: '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 - 12^th September

Iasi - Philharmonic Hall - 13^th September

Bacau - Athenaeum - 16^th September

Pitesti - Cultural House of Trade-Unions - 17^th September

Bucharest - Radio Hall - 19^th September

Ploiesti - Philharmonic Hall - 20^th September

Sibiu - Thalia Hall - 22^nd September

Timisoara - Capitol Hall - 23^rd September

Cluj-Napoca - Hungarian Opera House - 25^th September

Every concert begins at 7 p.m.