George Enescu's music echoed in the theatre of the Cantacuzino Palace last evening, on 15^th July, 2015, as part of an event which marked the editorial release of a new work from the youth of the Romanian composer, which was found in the archives of the "George Enescu" National Museum. I am referring to the Quintet for Two Violins, Viola, Cello and Piano, an opus which was composed in 1896 and interpreted in Paris during the same year. There it is! After having remained undiscovered and unperformed for more than a hundred years, the public attending the chamber concert in the gorgeous theatre of the Cantacuzino Palace last evening, was able to listen to the sonorities of the Quintet in the special interpretation of an ensemble made up of young musicians, who brought honour to this "mission", which wasn't easy at all. The Monte Piano Trio, which consists of violinist Francesco Sica, cellist Claude Frochaux and pianist Irina Botan, accompanied by their guests, violinists Vlad Maistorovici and Ruth Gibson, were the stars of a recital which arose the enthusiasm of the public.

During the first section of the event, the members of the Monte Piano Trio interpreted two other pieces of music belonging to George Enescu: the Sérénade Lointaine and the Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor, both of them being works which are part of the repertoire of the ensemble, which was founded in Frankfurt and which has performed on important European and international stages. A performance charged with lyricism, passion and, most importantly, a very meticulous approach to George Enescu's scores, with diverse phrasings, dynamic palettes and a remarkable attention to the details of all musical parameters.

The actual interpretation of the Quintet for Two Violins, Viola, Cello and Piano soon followed, event which was marked by the presentation speech delivered by Ms. Cristina Andrei, who is the musical director of the "George Enescu" National Museum, a moment when the personality of the young Romanian composer was mentioned through the words written by the composer Cornel Țăranu, in the preface of the score, followed then by the actual interpretation of the score, which was intensely enjoyed by the public. There were different notable figures in the public, one of whom was, for example, Mrs. Marta Paladi, the wife of the late composer Radu Paladi, for whom the recital had a different meaning, given the fact that Irina Botan was one of his disciples.

Here is what Mrs. Marta Paladi stated about the recital:

I noticed how much heart they put into their performances. They are animated by a very good musical education, one can sense that very well, and by an extraordinary desire to become known and be faithful to the music as it was written in the score.

I managed to talk to the musicians of the Monte Piano Trio and hear their impressions on the recital, after they finished performing.

Here is what Claude Frochaux, Francesco Sica and Irina Botan shared with us:

Claude Frochaux: I interpreted the Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor, by George Enescu for the first time in London, six months ago, when we were asked to perform this particular work. To us, the Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor is a very intense work, as opposed to the Sérénade Lointaine, which is a very charming work, but which is not a very technically difficult piece of music. The Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor is a different kind of music - it is intense, profound and it was written for several voices. The more you play this kind of music, the more of its many colours you discover; it is a very special work.

Francesco Sica: the Quintet for Two Violins, Viola, Cello and Piano was a very interesting-to-discover piece of music. We interpreted it on a Romanian stage for the first time, after more than one hundred years during which it hadn't been interpreted, which is what makes this location so special. To us, it is a great honour and a charming piece of music.

Irina Botan: It has been a wonderful and an emotional evening to me. I hadn't performed home for thirteen years, so this recital was incredible to me, and this is why I chose to bring a few of my colleagues from London and Frankfurt with me, to interpret Enescu's music in his homeland. It was an incredible experience to us and we are very thankful that you have decided to come to see us perform this evening.