tonality resists
Concert of
Мaria Martinova
piano (Bulgaria/Belgium)
&
Cyril Garac
Cyril Garac
violin (France)
(© Peter de Mulder)
Pēteris Vasks (b. 1946, Latvia):
Little
Summer Music (Mazā
vasaras mūzika)
for violin and piano (1985) *
Broad, resonant (Plaši, skanīgi)
Unhurried (Nestidzot)
Energetic (Enerğiski)
Sad (Skumji)
Joyful (Līksmi)
Broad, resonant (Plaši, skanīgi)
Lyubomir Denev (b.
1951, Bulgaria):
Biography of
a Flower for piano (1985)
Bethsabée for
violin and piano (2000)
Maria Martinova (b. 1974, Bulgaria/Belgium):
Two Short
Nightmares for violin and piano (1997) *
La
Dantellière (In Memoriam) for violin and piano (2000)
Ausencia for
violin and piano (2007) *
Fratres (1977),
version for violin and piano (1980)
Sonata for Flute/Violin and Piano (1987)
Allegro
moderato
Largo
sostenuto
Allegro
scherzando
__________
* Bulgarian premiere
* * *
Maria Martinova
was born in Varna (Bulgaria) and began playing the piano inspired by the rich musical heritage
of her family. She completed her early training at the Varna School of Music,
finishing with the highest distinction, prior to being accepted at the “Prof.
Pancho Vladigerov” National Academy of Music in the piano class of Prof. Stella
Dimitrova-Maystorova. She then attended the Juilliard School in New York as a
recipient of the prestigious “Vladimir Horowitz” Scholarship. After completing
her studies at Juilliard, Maria obtained a Master Degree from the Royal Academy
of Music in London.
She
has been under the guidance of artists such as Alexis Weissenberg, Alexander
Toradze, Joseph Kalichstein, Hamish Milne, Maria Curcio, Peter Feuchtwanger, Felix
Galimir and Samuel Sanders. She is a winner of many competitions and has
performed in some of the most prestigious venues in Europe and beyond.
A
daring artist and a truly multifaceted musician, she has also established
herself as one of the most talked-about names on the international contemporary
tango scene as the founder of Tanguarda – the most sought-after ensemble of
this genre in Europe. Her discography includes recordings for EMI, Delphian
Records and LP Classics, where she has
been featured not only as an artist but as a producer as well. Maria has
crossed frontiers between countries and genres, always following her artistic
credo. Profoundly inspired by theatre and dance, she is strongly driven by her
intrinsic need to tell the audience a story.
“A fascinating artist!” – Donald
Rosenberg, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“…wondrously played by Maria Martinova…”
– Gramophone
“One of the most exciting pianists I have
heard in a long time.” – Peter Feuchtwanger
“An extraordinarily gifted and expressive
musician…her potential is unlimited.” – Joseph Kalichstein
“When we hear about the pianist Маria
Маrtinovа the expectation is already clear – for something captivating,
emotional, sonorous. There is no way that listening to her even only once you
will forget her or confuse her with someone else. She is categorical.” –
Avgustа Маnolevа, Dnes
(© Lumir Schulz)
Cyril Garac was born in Cannes
(France). He received the First Prize from unanimous juries in both Violin and
Chamber Music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. The
winner of many competitions, he continued to refine his playing under the
guidance of artists such as Philippe Hirschhorn, Bruno Giuranna, Joseph
Silverstein and Siegmund Nissel (Amadeus
Quartet).
He is regularly sought-after as a
performer at festivals all around the world, teaming up with artists such as
Henri Demarquette, Renaud Capuçon, Joseph Silverstein, Julia Migenes, Ute
Lemper, Gustavo Beytelmann. His engagements have brought him to such
prestigious venues as Salle Gaveau in
Paris, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Barbican in London, Palau de la Música
in Barcelona. He had concerts in almost every country in Europe, as well as in
Russia, India, Japan, Australia and South America. As a member of several
chamber music ensembles, he has collaborated in the creation and recording of
many new works.
His inquisitive character has also
led him to the world of tango music where he has established himself as the
most highly regarded violinist in Europe. He has also worked for several French
cinema productions and has closely collaborated with Juliette Binoche. His
discography includes recordings for labels such as Virgin Classic/EMI, Milan
Records, Arion, Harmonia Mundi and Delphian Records, which have been praised by the music press.
“The
event became a solemn musical celebration. In a very special way, French
violinist Cyril Garac stood out with a mastery of the instrument that stunned
the public.” – Jordi Albacete, Cosmopolita
Scotland
“The
star of this concert was the group's French first violinist Cyril Garac, whose
forthright, soulful playing was entirely seductive; highlight was his
gorgeously showy solo in Piazzolla's Vardarito, a tribute to legendary
Argentine tango violinist Elvino Vardaro.” – Kate Molleson, The Herald Scotland
(© Lumir Schulz)
