Starting yesterday, March 22nd, 2023, Radio România Muzical can also be enjoyed in Iași, on 95.4 FM. This moment was celebrated with a recital held yesterday evening by pianist Raluca Știrbăț, at the Bals House in Iași, an event about which Lucian Haralambie will tell us more:

"From Vienna to Iași" was the title of Raluca Știrbăț's recital. Vienna -her adoptive city, Iași - the city where the pianist was born and where, yesterday evening, she performed works by composers that are symbolic for Vienna - Mozart, Schubert, Berg - together with the music of Franz Liszt, who, during his tours, came to Iași in 1847 and played in the building that today is the Balș House, as well as the music of George Enescu.

"It was a very special night for me. I think there was that chemistry in the room, between the musician on stage and the audience. Obviously the atmosphere of this building I think also helped; the fact that Franz Liszt's shadow perhaps still walks around here, or so we like to imagine it, of course." - Raluca Știrbăț

"This can only be a pleasure for me, as a supporter of this city. And for the fact that I listen to you very often, and I think it is an important decision you have taken. I'm extremely glad I had the opportunity to come.Your radio, for which I have the utmost respect, makes me want to congratulate all the people you work with. For Raluca Știrbăț it was a great evening; for us, too... and the encore with Silvestri's piece must have lifted our spirits. What I find incredibly important is that there'sconsistency in all of your actions as a radio station. Congratulations! I was extremely happy to make it to the concert." - architect Șerban Sturdza talking about the recital held by pianist Raluca Știrbăț and about the launch of the new Radio Romania Muzical frequency in Iasi, which was also appreciated by pianist Vasilica Stoiciu Frunză:

"I'm very glad this important step was made towards Iasi, a musical step... in fact, a cultural step, from culture towards culture.There is a great need for high culture, for music of the highest quality! We are invaded by all sorts of other ingredients that do us no good. That's why I think the radio station România Muzical comingto Iasi is perhaps the most natural thing that could be done, in terms of music for all. Personally, I'm very pleased that this door is open to the public, a public that certainly has access to musical and cultural institutions, but when you have permanent music of the highest level on the radio - and I know that, in Bucharest, our colleagues of the highest professional integritywork at this station - then the public can also be shaped and can understand something else in everyday life."

Professor Aurelian Bălăiță, rector of the "George Enescu" National University of Arts in Iasi:
"It was an outstanding recital. We're so proud and happy that Mrs.RalucaȘtirbățkicked off the project with Radio Romania Muzicalin our establishment. Her presence in our university strengthens the traditional piano school in Iasi and contributes significantly to the quality level of the Faculty of Interpretation, Composition and Theoretical Music Studies.95.4 FM will be the favourite frequency of those at the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iasi - teachers, students, and all our partners alike."

The recital performed by pianist Raluca Știrbăț opened the festival organized by Radio România Muzical, to mark the debut of the new frequency in Iasi, celebrating also the station's 26th anniversary on March 24th.

The series will continue today with the recital "Salut d'amour", performed at theBalșHouse by violinist Alexandru Tomescu, soloist performer of the Romanian Radio Orchestra, and pianist Iulia Toma - an event broadcast live by Radio România Muzical, starting at 7 PM.

Photo credit: Vasile Coțofrea