Classix Festival – the perfect harmony between the sophistication of the concerts and the excellence of the “Classix in Art” Masterclasses

Two more concerts and the launch of the „Classix in Art” masterclass sessions have been added to the program of the fifth edition of  Classix festival. More than 50 international artists will convey the passion of classical music through eight concerts organised in iconic locations and related cultural and educational events. Classix Festival will take place in Iași, between February 18th and 25th, 2024, and subscriptions and tickets have been put on sale online.

The Magic Ritual concert will take place on February 19, 2024, at the Student Culture House, in the Gaudeamus Hall. Pianists Mihai Diaconescu, Dragoș Cantea and Grace Jee Eun Oh, together with violinist Valentin Șerban, will perform: Ravel – Tzigane, Brahms – Scherzo, Suk – Love song, Sarasate’s Fiddle melodies, Songs from mother from “Gypsy songs” by Dvořák, Tchaikovsky – Valse Scherzo, as well as Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.

The Closing Gala of the festival is marked by the Classix Desire concert, which will take place on February 25th, 2024 at Sala Unirii – Cinema Victoria, and will combine Scandinavian fantasy soundscapes with the fusion of nuevo tango and traditional music. Compositions signed by Mozart, Nielsen, Păutza, Grieg, Bull, Piazzolla, Bardì and Pujol will be performed by Bandini & Chiacchiaretta Duo – bandoneon and guitar (IT), Max Artved – oboe (DK), Jean-Baptiste Doulcet – piano (FR), Classix Collective, Sabin Penea – violin (RO), Dragoș Cantea – piano (RO), Ioana Chiriac – piano (RO) and Gabriel Bîrjovanu – tenor (NO/RO).

Dragoș Cantea, the Artistic Director of the festival, mentions:

„A desire for freedom from constraints and a surge of raw passion will be Magic Ritual. A tribute to the Gypsy influence on classical music (with the great winner of the George Enescu International Competition 2021, violin section) and a display of rhythmic forces in the Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky for 2 pianos!

Classix Desire sums up all the desires expressed so far in the festival and puts the love of freedom, nature and dance into a gala concert. The three elements will intertwine on Argentinian, Scandinavian and Romanian rhythms, creating from the stage of the last evening of Classix a true international musical hub where Iași artists join hands with international ones.

Not only on the stage of the last concert we will see artistic collaborations between the invited artists and the young musicians from Iași, but also during the 26 sessions of masterclasses conducted during the entire festival by Philipp Jundt – flute (CH), Jean-Baptiste Doulcet – piano (FR), Jan Petryka – tenor (PL), Răzvan Popovici – viola (RO), Ulrich Koella – chamber music with piano / piano accompaniment (CH), Trio Bohémo – chamber music (CZ), Max Artved – oboe (DK).”

Registration for the masterclasses takes place online, on the festival’s website. The sessions will be held in English, at Casa Balș (Str. Cuza Vodă no. 29, Iași) and at the National University of Arts “George Enescu” (Str. Costache Negruzzi 7-9, Iași). Students from grades IX-XII and students enrolled in pre-university / vocational state / private university education from Romania and the Republic of Moldova and graduates of specialised institutions with the completion of their studies no earlier than the 2021/2022 academic year are eligible for selection as active participants.

Volunteer registrations for Classix 2024 continue until February 4, 2024, and the form can be completed  online.

Tickets and subscriptions are on sale online, and more details about the concert program can be obtained at www.classixfestival.ro

Romania Journal is supporting the festival as media partner.