Violoncellissimo, one of Romania\u2019s most renowned chamber ensembles, embarks in the autumn of 2026 on the eighth edition of the “Classic to the Power of Three” National Tour. This year, the tour holds special significance: cellist Marin Cazacu\u2014the ensemble\u2019s founder, mentor to its musicians, and Director of the George Enescu Philharmonic\u2014celebrates his 70th birthday on September 30, 2026.<\/p>\n
The program for this eighth edition continues the tour\u2019s established direction: a musical journey spanning from the Baroque era to the contemporary, featuring arrangements created specifically for the ensemble that showcase the cello’s timbral diversity and the musicians’ onstage cohesion. The concerts include works by Constantin Dimitrescu, David Popper, and Astor Piazzolla, alongside reinterpretations of themes from the international repertoire.<\/p>\n
Formed by Marin Cazacu from among his current and former students, the Violoncellissimo ensemble has been active for over three decades and undertook its first national tour in 2019. Throughout its years of touring, the ensemble has performed internationally at venues and events such as the UNESCO Hall in Paris, Expo 2020 Dubai, Expo 2025 Osaka, as well as in Madrid, Barcelona, \u200b\u200bBrussels, Washington, and Prague.<\/p>\n
Characterized by a flexible lineup\u2014ranging from four to one hundred cellos, depending on the event\u2014Violoncellissimo has cultivated a loyal audience through a repertoire that spans Baroque, Classical, and jazz styles, as well as contemporary arrangements and famous themes specially adapted for the group. Marin Cazacu was born on September 30, 1956, and studied the cello at the Dinu Lipatti Music High School in Bucharest, followed by the Ciprian Porumbescu State Conservatory, under professors Serafim Antropov and Aurel Niculescu. A prize-winner at international competitions in Geneva, Markneukirchen, Leipzig, Bologna, and Belgrade, he has served as a concert soloist with the George Enescu Philharmonic since 1983 and is a university professor at the National University of Music in Bucharest. He has performed on three continents under the baton of conductors such as Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Cristian Mandeal, and Horia Andreescu, and plays a Lorenzo Ventapane cello (1820). Alongside his performance career, Marin Cazacu founded the “Enescu and the Music of the World” International Festival in Sinaia in 1999 and initiated the Romanian National Youth Orchestras project.<\/p>\n
The concert at the Romanian Athenaeum on November 8 traditionally marks the conclusion of the national tour at the premier venue of Bucharest’s musical life. The concert in Rome, dedicated to Romania’s National Day, continues the ensemble’s presence in Europe and extends the tour beyond the country’s borders.<\/p>\n
Classical to the Power of Three. Violoncellissimo is a Pro Contemporania tour, part of the “Legendary Tours” (*Turnee de poveste*) series. 2026 ITINERARY<\/p>\n
MARIN CAZACU \u2013 70<\/p>\n
August 21, 7:00 PM \u2013 Sinaia, Casino Hall \/ preview performance at the “Enescu and the Music of the World” Festival<\/p>\n
September 27, 7:00 PM \u2013 Constan\u021ba, “Regina Maria” National College of Arts<\/p>\n
September 28, 7:00 PM \u2013 R\u00e2mnicu V\u00e2lcea, Philharmonic Hall<\/p>\n
October 5, 6:30 PM \u2013 Ia\u0219i, Romanian National Opera<\/p>\n
October 10, 7:00 PM \u2013 Bistri\u021ba, Palace of Culture<\/p>\n
October 11, 6:00 PM \u2013 Gil\u0103u, R\u00e1koczi-B\u00e1nffy Castle \/ part of the “Cluj Musical Autumn” Festival<\/p>\n
October 18, 7:00 PM \u2013 Deva, Dr\u0103gan Muntean Cultural Center<\/p>\n
November 1, 7:00 PM \u2013 Slobozia, Ionel Perlea Cultural Center, Europa Hall<\/p>\n
November 8, 7:00 PM \u2013 Bucharest, Romanian Athenaeum<\/p>\n
November 23, 7:00 PM \u2013 Rome, Palazzo Barberini<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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