In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Andrei Ioniță, the prodigious Romanian cellist and winner of the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition. We explore the emotional profundities and rich spectrum of colors that the cello can evoke, and how it reflects the subtleties of human emotion. Andrei shares his thoughts on playing Bach, discussing the personal connection he has with his instrument and his journey as a musician.

He also reflects on the nuances of gut strings, the importance of good posture for a cellist, the physical sensation of the cello resting against his body, and how this intimate embrace influences emotional expression and depth of sound, particularly in the intense, low register passages. In this episode dedicated to music, Andrei also discusses his Romanian heritage and how the voice of Romania speaks through his bow, offering a personal insight into his cultural identity. In this episode, he takes us inside his experience during the 15th Tchaikovsky Competition and talks about his most difficult decisions as a musician.

Most powerfully, Andrei opens up about how he conveys his whole soul through his music, sharing the courage it takes to be vulnerable and break through at the highest emotional peaks, only to let go and invite the listener into a shared human experience through his playing. This episode is a real treat for the ears and the heart! Andrei Ioniță's carrier it's a journey of emotional reflection and artistic courage – You’ll understand what it is meant to “play from the gut”.

Website: https://www.andreiionitacellist.com https://www.haefligerproduction.com/andrei-ionita https://www.symphonikerhamburg.de/laeiszhalle-orchester-symphoniker-hamburg/andrei-ionita-135 Instagram: ionita_andrei94 Facebook: Andrei Ioniță - Cellist

This episode’s Playlist and Playlist’s credits: · Papandopulo, Boris. Rhapsodia Concertante: I. Introduzione Tempo Libero. Performed by Oliver Triendl and Andrei Ioniță. On Boris Papandopulo: Works for Piano & Strings, CPO-555106-2, 2021.CD · Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich. Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 (var. VII e Coda : Allegro vivo). Performed by Cellist Andrei Ioniță and the Münchener Philharmoniker conducted by Valery Gergiev recorded at the Philharmonie im Gasteig (Munich, Germany), on May 12, 2017 20:00 © A Coproduction by Munich Philharmonic Orchestra & Telmondis // In Association with medici.tv & Takt1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6dyn2LRxVo

· Brett, Dean. 11 Oblique Strategies No. 1. Listen to the Quiet Voice. Performed by Andrei Ioniță. On Oblique Strategies. Orchid Classics ORC100096, 2019. CD. · Brett, Dean. 11 Oblique Strategies No. 5. What are the Sections Sections of? Performed by Andrei Ioniță. On Oblique Strategies. Orchid Classics ORC100096, 2019. CD. · Brahms, Johannes. Cello Suite No. 1 G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude. Performed byAndrei Ioniță. On Oblique Strategies. Orchid Classics ORC100096, 2019. CD. · Brahms, Johannes. Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major BWV 1007: III. Courante. Performed by Andrei Ioniță. On Oblique Strategies. Orchid Classics ORC100096, 2019. CD. · Brahms, Johannes. Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: I. Allegro. Performed by Pablo Barragán, Andrei Ioniță, and Juan Pérez Floristán. On Brahms: Complete Clarinet Sonatas & Trio. IBS Classical, 2018. CD. · Papandopulo, Boris. Concertino in modo antico, OP.56 II Aria. Performed by Oliver Triendl, Amaury Coeytaux, Vanessa Szgeti, and Andrei Ioniță. On Boris Papandopulo:Works for Piano & Strings, CPO-555106-2, 2021.CD · Dmitri, Shostakovich. Sonata for Cello and Piano in D Minor, Op.40. The XV International Tchaikovsky Competition. Performed by Andrei Ioniţă: Cellist and Seong-Jin Cho: Pianist. Concert recorded at the Salle des Combins (Verbier, Switzerland), on July 25, 2018. © Idéale Audience with the participation of medici.tv https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHPd1dN89bM · Dmitri, Shostakovich. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107 4. Allegro con moto. Performed by Andrei Ionuț Ioniță with the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev. The XV International Tchaikovsky Competition's Winners' Concert. Recorded at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, on July 2, 2015. © MUSEEC/medici.tv

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzaCNTlJciI

· Dmitri Shostakovich. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107 with the Draft. Performed by Andrei Ionuț Ioniță Orchestra of the Shostakovich State Academic Saint Petersburg Philharmonic conducted by Nikolai Alexeev. Cello: Final Round - Candidate #2 - First Prize - Recorded at the Grand Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia, on June 28, 2015, 7:45 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfkQt0gSiJI · Henryson, Svante. Black Run. Performed by Andrei Ioniță. On Oblique Strategies. Orchid Classics ORC100096, 2019. CD. · Enescu, George: Piano Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 16: II Andante mesto. Performed by Catalin Serban, Andrei Ioniță, Karolina Errera, Suyeon Kang. On Mélodies Infinies: Fauré & Enescu Piano Quartets. Naxos 8.551477, 2024. CD · Papandopulo, Boris. Rapsodia Concertante: I. Introduziene. Tempo libero. Performed by Oliver Triendl, Amaury Coeytaux, Vanessa Szgeti, and Andrei Ioniță. On Boris Papandopulo: Works for Piano & Strings, CPO-555106-2, 2021.CD

· Rachmaninoff, Sergei: Sonata -Moll OP 19. Lento- Allegro moderato. 2. Allegro scherzando. 3 Andante. 4 Allegro mosso. Performed by Andrei Ioniță and Andrei Ioniță (Violoncello), Catalin Serban (Piano). Kammermusik am Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung in Zusammenarbeit mit Konzertleben e.V. January 17th, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqpFqwfoBDg · Saint-Saëns, Camille. Concerto No.1 in A minor for Cello and Orchestra Op. 33. Performed by Solist Andrei Ioniță and the Filarmonica George Enescu conducted by Stefan Ausbury Opening Concert October 7th, 2020, at the Romanian Athenaeum lived-streamed on the Institutions Website and YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktTHMbFcyp4 · Papandopulo, Boris. Rapsodia Concertante: I. Introduziene. Tempo libero. Performed by Oliver Triendl, Amaury Coeytaux, Vanessa Szgeti, and Andrei Ioniță. On Boris Papandopulo: Works for Piano & Strings, CPO-555106-2, 2021.CD · Rachmaninoff, Sergei: Sonata -Moll OP 19. Lento- Allegro moderato. 2. Allegro scherzando. 3 Andante. 4 Allegro mosso. Performed by Andrei Ioniță and Andrei Ioniță (Violoncello), Catalin Serban (Piano). Kammermusik am Max-Planck-Institut für Bildungsforschung in Zusammenarbeit mit Konzertleben e.V. January 17th, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqpFqwfoBDg · Fauré, Gabriel: Piano Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 15: III Adagio. Performed by Catalin Serban, Andrei Ioniță, Karolina Errera, Suyeon Kang. On Mélodies Infinies: Fauré & Enescu Piano Quartets. Naxos 8.551477, 2024. CD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktTHMbFcyp4 · Saint-Saëns, Camille. Concerto No.1 in A minor for Cello and Orchestra Op. 33. Performed by Solist Andrei Ioniță and the Filarmonica George Enescu conducted by Stefan Ausbury Opening Concert October 7th, 2020, at the Romanian Athenaeum lived-streamed on the Institutions Website and YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktTHMbFcyp4 · Brahms, Johannes. Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: I. Allegro. Performed by Pablo Barragán, Andrei Ioniță, and Juan Pérez Floristán. On Brahms: Complete Clarinet Sonatas & Trio. IBS Classical, 2018. CD. · Papandopulo, Boris. Rhapsodia Concertante: III. Danza. Allegro. Performed by Oliver Triendl and Andrei Ioniță. On Boris Papandopulo: Works for Piano & Strings, CPO-555106-2, 2021.CD

Albums: Available in all Platforms https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/3Cqhwf6m3Gl8i0HfDTzln1 https://www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=C5463 https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/4ITCrIEQbzQVUO8CPHhdLP

Gavin Friday