Horia Vacarescu – violin

Horia Vacarescu is a violinist that brings something new to the musical scene.  Combining a high mastery of the instrument that evokes a past era with an exciting young and fresh approach, his performances are a delight and always received with enthusiasm by his audience.  In a recent London performance, distinguished musician Rivka Golani described him as “a great talent”.  Horia is enjoying an international career as a soloist and a chamber musician.

Born in Bucharest (Romania) into a musical family, he started playing the violin at the age of three.  Presently, he lives in London and he recently graduated on the Masters programme at the Royal College of Music with professor Levon Chilingirian.  His studies were kindly supported by a Joan Weller Award and the Ratiu Family Foundation.  He previously studied with Professor Paul Ratz at the National Music University in Bucharest, and later with Romanian violinist Eugene Sarbu, in London.

Horia first appeared on stage at the age of six and made his symphonic debut at 15.  He performed on three continents and in the USA venues featured the White House.  His British debut took place at Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in London, followed by performances in Purcell Room, St. Margaret’s Church Westminster, St. John’s Smith Square and others. Engagements for this year include concerts in Great Britain, Portugal, Romania, Japan and Hong Kong.  Although now based in London, he hasn’t lost touch with his native Romania and frequently visits the Philharmonic Orchestras over there.  He played in the Great Hall of the Bucharest Athenaeum and his recent performance of Mozart’s concerto no.7 with the Bucharest Radio Orchestra was live broadcast on Radio Romania Cultural & Musical.

He was a guest of various music festivals in Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Romania, including: Brighton Festival, City of London Festival, Chilingirian ChamberFest, Notting Hill Mayfest, Tenby Arts Festival, Nuova Musica Consonante, Fimu Festival and Verbier Festival, and he has recorded for the National Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company.

In 2003, Horia reopened the concert series “The evenings of Palace Elisabeta”, which were stopped during the communist era, in the presence of Their Majesties King Mihai I of Romania and Queen Ana.

He plays a superb 18^th century Testore violin, kindly loaned by a private collection.