World classical crossover quartet FANDANGO! will perform Sept. 25 at Kahilu Theatre.
World classical crossover quartet FANDANGO! will perform Sept. 25 at Kahilu Theatre.
The most exciting new group on Chicago’s musical scene, FANDANGO!, is a toe-tappingly spicy mix of Latin, Spanish, Sephardic, Balkan and classical sounds founded by four award-winning, globe-trotting virtuosi: Eugenia Moliner, on flute; Desiree Ruhstrat, on violin; Denis Azabagic, on guitar; and David Cunliffe, on cello. The musicians have played, separately and together, in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and festivals.
The program will include the following works: Antonio Vivaldi L’Inverno from Le quattro stagioni, Alan Thomas Trio Sefardi, Miroslav Tadic Three Balkan Pieces, Georg Philipp Telemann (arr. Russ Tweedle) Trio in E minor for Flute, Violin, Cello &Guitar, Carlos Rivera Plegaria y Kanto (Al Bodre de la Mar), and Manuel de Falla Danza Espanola.
Moliner and Azabagic are a husband-wife team acclaimed worldwide as the Cavatina Duo. They have captivated audiences with their electrifying performances in major venues and festivals around the world. Moliner, a native of Spain, has performed with principal musicians from the Chicago Symphony, Rotterdam Philharmonic and Toronto Symphony orchestras and appeared with many renowned ensembles including the Chicago Chamber Musicians. Azabagic, prizewinner in 24 international competitions, has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as the Chicago and Madrid Symphonies, among others.
Also a married couple, Ruhstrat and Cunliffe are both members of the Lincoln Trio, winner of the 2008 Masterplayers International Competition in Italy. They have performed across the United States as well as in Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
Ruhstrat has captivated audiences throughout Europe and the Americas, winning numerous awards including first prize at the National Young Musicians Debut Competition in Los Angeles, where she was also lauded with a special award for a young performer of extraordinary talent. She was the youngest prizewinner at Switzerland’s Tibor Varga International Competition, where she also won the award for best interpretation of a contemporary composition. She won top prizes at the Carl Flesch, Julius Stulberg, and Mozart Festival Violin Competitions.
Cunliffe has served as principal cello in performances with BBC Philharmonic, BBC Scottish and Royal Scottish Symphony Orchestras. As a member of the Balanescu Quartet, he toured Australia, Europe and the United States. In England, Cunliffe was a recipient of the Terrance Weill and Leonard Hirsch Quartet Prizes and the Lady Barbirolli Chamber Music Award. He has appeared frequently on radio and TV and is a founding member of the Virtuosi Chicago Chamber Orchestra.
Earlier in the day, FANDANGO! will perform for local students at 10:30 a.m. Registration for Kahilu Theatre Youth Shows is available online at www.kahilutheatre.org.
Tickets are $68/$47/$37/$20 and can be purchased online at www.kahilutheatre.org, by calling 885-6868, or at the theater box office at 67-1186 Lindsey Road in Waimea from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.