Alexander Balanescu

Internationally recognized as a virtuoso violinist and composer, Romanian-born Alexander Balanescu made his debut at the age of nine. He finished his studies at Julliard school, New York, his main teachers having been Dolly Korizer and Dorothy Delay. He was a member of the Arditti Quartett from 1983 to 1987, playing the contemporary classical repertoire. In 1987 he formed the Balanescu Quartet, with the goal to create a much more accessible and communicative new music. He gained a reputation as a truly interdisciplinary artist, composer, improviser as well as a performer. He has collaborated with musicians from such wide ranging fields as John Lurie, Gavin Bryars, Michael Nyman, Jack DeJohnette, John Surman, Andy Sheppard, and Carla Bley. His work has also taken him to the pop world, supporting the Pet Shop Boys and recording the music of David Byrne, Kraftwerk, the Yellow Magic Orchestra and collaborating with the German band "To Rococo rot" on their latest album. In his quest to reconnect with his Eastern European roots, recent projects include collaborations with the Hungarian group "Musikas" and singer Marta Sebestyen. Using folk material as a source of inspiration, Balanescu created the album "Luminitza". He also created material based on folk songs interpreted by the great Romanian singer Maria Tanase. More recently, Alexander completed a tour of England with Philip Glass and Foday Musa Suso, and developed a very special way of performing together with Mr. Suso, including improvisation and song.