Ion Bogdan Ștefănescu and Ad Libitum Quartet Bucharest Philharmonic

Ion Bogdan Ștefănescu Flutist – Cotidianul

Last night I enjoyed my first concert at Bucharest’s Romanian Athenaeum. The design of the beautiful neoclassic building is said to have been inspired by Greek temples. It “incorporates elements of eclecticism and XIX-century French architecture“. Built between 1886 and 1888 on a circular foundation designed for an American circus, it has over 130 years of history! The acoustics are phenomenal, and I’m looking forward to attending more concerts in the iconic structure.

Bogdan Ștefănescu and Ad Libitum Quartet

During last night’s performance, five distinguished musicians played flawless chamber music for a small audience:

Ad libitum la lasi – romania-muzical.ro

The program included the compositions of Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart:

Concert Hall Ceiling Romanian Athenaeum – wandertooth.com

Ion Bogdan Ștefănescu

Flutist Ion Bogdan Ștefănescu is a soloist of the George Enescu Philharmonic in Bucharest, and a Prof. PhD at Bucharest National University of Music. He debuted with the orchestra in 1983, at the age of 14.

Ion Bogdan Ștefănescu Flutist – YouTube

During his esteemed career, Ștefănescu has given numerous solo recitals and concerts in Romania, England, France, Spain, Czech Republic, North Korea, Japan, USA, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Holland, Sweden, and Norway. He’s won many awards and accolades.

Ad Libitum Quartet – Porgy & Bess
Ad Libitum Quartet

Ad Libitum String Quartet are soloists of the Moldova Philharmonic Lași. The internationally recognized ensemble has been performing for over three decades. The talented, expressive musicians received the Grand Prize for Interpretation, Press Prize, and Disc Award at the Evian Contest in France.

Ad Libitum Quartet – TheAudioDB

The Quartet was founded in 1988 at the George Enescu Art University in Lasi Romania. The group tours throughout Europe and has performed at festivals in Monte Carlo, Netherlands, France, Germany, and Switzerland, Ad Libitum has made radio and TV recordings and was named the Moldavian Philharmonic State Quartet.

Map Showing Lași Romania

It was a memorable evening of chamber music at an awe-inspiring venue.

Interior Romanian Athenaeum – wandertooth.com

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