News

Alexandra Dariescu

Concert pianist

Alexandra is awarded prestigious CUBS Prize at the Verbier Festival and Academy in Switzerland

The Verbier Festival Academy is a world leader in identifying, encouraging and nurturing tomorrow’s truly exceptional solo performers. The Academy invites an elite group of extraordinary young artists to Verbier for three weeks each summer. They participate in a unique and international performing arts community, they have masterclasses with great teachers and artists, they play chamber music together and they exchange creative ideas.

Alexandra is delighted to be one of the eight pianists chosen for 2010 and she will be playing for the distinguished professors Dimitri Bashkirov and Menahem Pressler, and chamber music for Gábor Takács-Nagy and David Dolan. For more information please visit http://www.verbierfestival.com/academy/2010-edition/

At the end of the three weeks spent in Verbier, Alexandra was thrilled to be awarded the prestigious CUBS prize and an invitation as guest performer in Lausanne November 19th 2010.

Alexandra’s first CD live from the Wigmore Hall

The CD consists of works by Bach, Dutilleux, Chopin, Debussy and Silvestri and was recorded on 2 February 2010 at the world leading venue, the beloved Wigmore Hall. The CD was recorded by Orientis label and can be ordered here.

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto at St John Smith Square with the International Orchestra for Freedom

The IOF are pleased and proud to announce that young superstar pianist Alexandra Dariescu has been announced as the soloist for their inaugural concert on 25th June 2010. Alexandra will be playing Tchaikovsky’s beloved first piano concerto with the orchestra and conductor William E. Kunhardt in front of a packed house of celebrities, politicians, international business leaders and members of the public from across the world at St John's Smith Square. For more information please visit http://www.playliberate.com/

The Romanian Ambassador at the Barbican Hall

The Ambassador of Romania, Dr Ion Jinga, attended the event and congratulated the young Romanian pianist for her talent and passion in the interpretation of Ravel, Dutilleux and Debussy, and for her perseverance in building an artistic career. “Alexandra Dariescu is an example to follow. Once again, she is living proof of the great capacity the young Romanian generation has to adapt and achieve top performance in areas of excellence, where worldwide competition is increasingly strong and international talents are constantly challenging these top positions”.
The Ambassador of Romania had a discussion with Ronan O'Hora, Alexandra Dariescu’s professor and Head of Keyboard la Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, who finds the young Romanian pianist “one of the most talented students in his teaching career”.
Born in 1985, Alexandru Dariescu made her debut in the UK in 2006. Being awarded at numerous international contests, Alexandra Dariescu is appreciated especially for her interpretation of Chopin and Ravel. In 2008, Alexandra Dariescu won ‘Prix Maurice Ravel 2008’ at the Academie Internationale de Musique Maurise Ravel in in France.
Alexandra’s recitals were broadcasted on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM, as well as on various radio and television stations across Romania and the Nevada Radio in California.
Alexandra Dariescu is currently studying at the internationally renowned Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London.

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Solo Barbican debut, as the pre LSO concert, on
the opening night of the season

Alexandra has been invited to perform an evening recital by Ravel, Dutilleux and Debussy at the Barbican Centre on September, 20th at 6pm. The concert precedes the LSO with Gergiev on the opening night of the 2009-2010 season. Alexandra will present Ravel Gaspard de la nuit, Dutilleux Prelude no 3 and Debussy L’Isle Joyeuse. For more information please contact www.lso.co.uk

Alexandra is awarded the prestigious Hattori
Award 2009

The aim of the Hattori Foundation in the field of music is to encourage and assist exceptionally talented young instrumental soloists and whose talent and achievements give promise of an international career. Alexandra was one of the very few instrumentalists selected to audition this year and after a successful audition, she was awarded the 2009 Hattori Award of £3000. Alexandra is extremely grateful for this exciting news and the money will be used for maintenance in London. For more information please contact
www.hattorifoundation.com

Photos and impressions after the Ravel Festival in
France, August 7th 2009

It was such a special occasion to go back to France, where Maurice Ravel was born, in the beautiful town of Ciboure. I enjoyed visiting the house where the composer was born and it was a great privilege to perform the concert in the church where he was baptized. The programme was entirely appropriate, performing Ravel’s monumental Gaspard de la nuit, Chopin’s Polonaise Fantasie and Debussy’s L’Isle joyeuse. I welcomed the audience and spoke a little bit in French about the pieces I was going to perform and the sold out audience was very enthusiastic. It was a marvelous experience, and it seemed that Gaspard sounded even better in the beautiful church! Please click here to see pictures from the Ravel Festival.

Invitation to perform and conduct the European Union Chamber Orchestra in Germany

Alexandra will fly out to Germany straight after her Barbican debut and rehearse the Mozart Concerto in A major K 414 with the European Union Chamber Orchestra on the morning of September 21st. It will be a very exciting opportunity for Alex to direct the orchestra from the piano. The concert will take place on the same evening in Dusseldorf. For more information please contact www.euco.com

Universal Edition features Alexandra
on the front page

UE supports young performer Alexandra Dariescu and features her on the front page of their piano publications. Please click here to view the article.

Alexandra and the Sacconi Quartet at the Wigmore Hall

Alexandra is delighted to join the Sacconi Quartet at the Wigmore Hall for a performance of the wonderful Schumann Piano Quintet in E flat major on Tuesday, 7 April at 1 pm. For more information please contact www.wigmore-hall.com or YCAT office on 020 73798477. Please click here for photos from the Wigmore Hall.