Adriana Cristea

Hello Adriana, Just a note to thank you for such a splendid concert yesterday. Speaking to audience members afterwards it was clear that many had not previously heard a violin “close up”, and at least one told me what a revelation it was and how well the violin sounded in that space. The capability of the instrument for such a range of volume and expression was a new experience. And this morning at the shops I met someone who had been there and his first utterance was to say what a magnificent event it was. So, a very satisfied audience!

On 20 February 2020, as part of Aylesbury's lunchtime series, Adriana Cristea and Mina Beldimanescu (with discrete national clothing) delighted a large but very damp audience - it was the kind of weather concert promoters dread - with a beautifully put together hour of music from their native land: From Romania With Love. We dried off quickly to a mix of violin and piano solos and duos, comprising - with one exception - pieces which few of us can have heard or known about. But the selection offered contrasts of earthy folk dancing, stomping and high-flying, as well as fantasy, poignancy, loss and staunch courage. Adriana and Mina introduced the music effectively, and their playing was fearlessly on top of every note. They ended with Bartok's ubiquitous Romanian Dances, in totally idiomatic performances. You could smell the soil. Nothing but praise was heard as the audience left. Hugely enjoyable, as well as opening a new door for the curious - and it had stopped raining! David Mulraney, Aylesbury Lunchtime Music.