In 2025, the 18th edition of the Stradivarius tournament is carried out-the project proposed by the violinist Alexandru Tomescu to enhance the instrument entrusted by the Romanian state, the Stradivarius-Elder Voicu, which the great violinist Ion Voicu once sang. A precious instrument of 1702, bought by the Romanian state in 1956, today the object of heritage – the Treasure category, which Alexandru Tomescu has the right to sing at least until 2029, after winning a new term, fifth, to use this violin on 5 years.
Precisely because this Stradivarius violin belongs to the Romanian state, that is, nine, to the citizens of Romania, Alexandru Tomescu chose to bring it as close to his owners as possible: that is, to the Romanian public, which he visits within the Stradivarius tournament. In consecrated spaces, outdoors, in unconventional spaces, the Stradivarius tournament means every year an effort to always come up with new ideas and repertoires, in innovative concepts, an effort to organize and an force for musicians and the organizing team. In 2025, Stradivarius tournament has reached and will reach until July 12 in 22 localities and spaces, in important events for local communities, but also for the national and even international public.
I attended June 20 at the concert that took place at the Lutheran Cathedral in Sibiu-an event that officially opened and the 32nd edition of the International Theater Festival in Sibiu (Fits), one of the most important cultural events of Romania, a symbol of Romania internationally. Sure, it seems somewhat surprising that a classical music concert has opened a festival of show arts, but I can only greet the choice of director FITS, Constantin Chiriac, because, indeed, it was a good idea.
First of all, because any concert of Alexandru Tomescu, is a guarantee of quality and a standard of high value always equal. It is easier for me to appreciate this, because I listen to the concerts he supports at the Radio Hall, as a resolor of radio orchestras, and who are always sold out. And which not for the marketing created around Alexandru Tomescu are sold out, although, of course, and that has a contribution, but because what he sings is always a successful concert, which transmits emotion and makes us share a set of cultural values and, I would add, even spiritual.
The theme of the Stradivarius tournament of 2025 is the “rhapsodies”. In the year when George Enescu's death is 70 years old, the symbol of Romanian musical culture, Alexandru Tomescu chose to pay a tribute to him. He already played the three sonatas for violin and piano in 2015, and as he never returns to the same repertoires, he had the idea of singing transcripts after the famous Romanian raps, in violin and guitar version. Because this year, as in 2022, Alexandru Tomescu left for Stradivarius tournament along with guitarist Dragoș Ilie, an exceptional musician returned to the country last year after studies in the USA, which I himself listened to the records sent for the Romanian Music Exchange. Moreover, the recordings with the paganini sonatas for violin and guitar played in 2022, are now on a CD promoted in the Stradivarius tournament of 2025.
Along with Enescu, in the program of the 2025 tournament, George Gershwin appears, with another famous rhapsody who wrote history: Rhapsody in Blue, from whose premiere they were 100 years in 2024. And the program is complemented by three other miniatures by Gershwin, three preludes, these in the original piano.
It is very daring to make arrangements for violin and guitar after work that are in original for the orchestra. The one who did this titanic and so delicate work, from many points of view, including aesthetically, is Dragoș Ilie. He had some support points – existing arrangements for piano, violin and piano, but his merit is very important, I would say capital. Because what I listened to in Sibiu passed the border of any arrangement – it was simply rethinking all the works presented, preserving their essential elements, but also the subtleties in the original scores. Could have easily come out a kitsch; But a work of art has come out, scores that once published, I am sure that they will be taken over by violinists and guitarists from all over the world, because they bring a new breath to a repertoire that is not extended, but it is great today.
How did he sing? As these scores – work of art: with emotion, with total transposition and dedication, with that thrill that makes the audience feel that electric wire that is weaved and the musicians in front of them. This music also spoke about our freedom, starting from the freedom brought by jazz music explored by Gershwin, but also about what it means to be Romanian in a world globally connected by value, good taste, quality. A complex and very demanding program for performers, with great emotional consumption – and I think all those who filled the cathedral in the Huet Square have also felt the empathic communication of the two musicians, appreciated how music lived, including as it was physical, on the faces and bodies of the artists.
We are very lucky that in a world flooded by Kitsch, there are such events that restore standards and values for the musical universe, but also for the cultural one in Romania. So if you have the opportunity, do not miss the remaining concerts from the Stradivarius tour: June 27-the Roman-Catholic Church in Ghimeș, June 30-The Military Circle in Bucharest, July 1-Radio Hall in Bucharest, July 2-Grădinița Casa from Bucharest, July 3-Casino-July 5-July 5.
The concert on July 1, 7 pm, Radio Hall, is broadcast live by Radio Romania Musical.
