Imago Mundi Ensemble and the Sources of Romanian Creativity in the Enescu Soirees Online

Don't miss a contemporary take on the rich Romanian musical tradition, enlivening the irresistible scores of the urban folklore of the past. This exceptional concert features five pieces from the IMAGO MUNDI ENSEMBLE's latest albums, the Isvor / Source Trilogy, dedicated to three of the greatest Romanians of all time, the statesman and man of letters, Dimitrie Cantemir, our musical genius, George Enescu, and our most cherished visual artist, Constantin Brâncuși. 

Imago Mundi Ensemble are: Adrian Buciu – flutes, shakers / Oana Ivașcu – oboe, tambourine / Ștefan Barbu – violin, frame drum / Andreea Ţimiraș – cello / Cătălin Ștefănescu – kobsa, guitar / Daniel Ivașcu – bendir, shakers.

Watch on our FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE and BLOG from Thursday, July 9, 7 p.m. EDT or anytime later.

Photo credit: Florin Ghenade

Adrian Buciu – flutes, shakers

Born into a family with deep musical traditions, Adrian Buciu holds degrees in both the flute and conducting from the National University of Music, Bucharest. In 2006, he became a lecturer in the University's Chamber and Orchestral Music Department, and in 2007 was awarded the title of Doctor of Music (Summa cum Laude). Also in 2007, together with Mihail Ghiga he founded the University's Barockers Ensemble, which performs a repertoire of symphonic, vocal-symphonic, and vocal music. He performs and conducts extensively in Romania and abroad, having given concerts in the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Tunisia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, Croatia, Switzerland, Germany, France, Norway, the United States, and Italy. He frequently performs on television and radio and makes special recordings.

Oana Ivașcu – oboe, tambourine

A classically trained musician, Oana Ivașcu studied oboe at the Faculty of Musical Performance of the National University of Music in Bucharest. Open to innovation and experiment, Oana Ivașcu is familiar to audiences thanks to several groups she has founded and with which she performs: Imago Mundi, Allegria, Bucharest AV, and the Rhapsody Chamber Orchestra. She has worked extensively with major orchestras, including the George Enescu Philharmonic, the Radio Chamber Orchestra, and the “Ion Dacian” Orchestra of the National Operetta Theatre, the Oltenia Philharmonic (Craiova), and the Sinfonia Orchestra (Bucharest). She has given concerts in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey, and United States of America.

Ștefan Barbu – violin

Ștefan Barbu studied violin at the National University of Music in Bucharest. Since 2000 he has been a violinist with the Radio Chamber Orchestra in Bucharest. He has performed with the Georges Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra on numerous occasions. He was a member of the Academy Choir (later renamed Kontakion) between 1995 and 1998. He has also been a member of the Musica Selecta choir (which performed live background music for the play Saragossa 66 Days at the Odeon Theatre between 1998 and 2000), the Rules for Graces baroque instrumental ensemble, and the Sartorious Ensemble, a baroque vocal group (1999), the Modus Antiqus early music instrumental ensemble, and the Arioso Quartet (between 2002 and 2005).

Andreea Ţimiraș – cello

Born into a family of musicians, Andreea began studying cello under the guidance of her father, first cellist of the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra in Palermo (Italy). Graduate of the National University of Music Bucharest under the guidance of professors Aurel Niculescu and Marin Cazacu, she improved her artistry skills attending numerous Master Courses with David Geringas (cello) and the Abegg Trio (chamber music). Member of Sicilian Symphony Orchestra since 2001, Andreea has performed solo and with chamber groups, both at home and abroad, and has approached various musical genres such as ancient music works (with the Barockers Ensemble) and contemporary repertoire for which she has received several special awards. In October 2012 Andreea Ţimiraş became a Ph.D. student and assistant researcher of the Early Music Centre at the National University of Music in Bucharest.

Cătălin Ștefănescu – kobsa, guitar

One of the most outstanding musicians of his generation, Cătălin Ștefănescu holds a Ph.D. in Music and studied guitar at the “George Enescu” Academy of Arts in Jassy and composition at the National University of Music in Bucharest. He teaches guitar at the National University of Music. He was awarded the Grand Prize at the Sinaia Classical Guitar Festival and has given concerts in Romania's most important cultural centres: Alba Iulia, Arad, Bucharest, Deva, Jassy, Sibiu. Cătălin has been awarded a scholarship at the Volos Guitar Festival in Greece. His compositions have been performed in Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Germany, and Romania.

Daniel Ivașcu – bendir, shakers

Daniel Ivașcu is a graduate of the National University of the Arts, visual artist by training and percussionist by vocation. He is among the initiators of stylistically diverse musical projects that include Imago Mundi (early music), Bucharest AV (audio-video fusion), Allegria (jazzy pop-rock), Shape of Sound (electro-pop), Special Guest Stars (rock fusion), and Body in Pieces (progressive fusion). He has played as a guest performer with Vlaicu Golcea, Electric Brother, Jazz e-Scape (electro-jazz), Cri-Gri (rockfusion), AB4 (alternative rock), and Maxim Belciug (classical guitar). Daniel has performed in concert in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey, and United States of America.

Photo Florin Ghenade