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Alexander Balanescu

Alexander Balanescu

Artist Description

Alexander Balanescu is a violinist and composer enjoying a solid reputation across Europe and internationally. His repertoire includes classical, contemporary and new music. He was born in Romania and studied music first at home then at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem, at London’s Trinity College and at the Julliard School in New York. In 1979 he became leader of the Michael Nyman Ensemble and toured with this group for 15 years. He was in the Arditti Quartet for 4 years and then formed The Balanescu Quartet in 1987. The group has worked closely, among others, with Michael Nyman, Gavin Bryars, Kevin Volans, as well as musicians from other fields such as John Lurie, David Byrne, Rabih Abou Khalil, Spiritualized and the Pet Shop Boys. Balanescu’s collaborations in dance, theatre or opera include projects with Merryl Tankard, Pina Bausch, Rosemary Lee, Jochen Ulrich; Theatre de la Place, Liege, Watford Palace Theatre; Opera North & Royal Shakespeare Company; Landestheater Linz and the Bruckner Orchestra. The quartet has toured Europe and the US, including festivals at Roskilde, Poori, Sziget, Sphinks, Ars Electronica, North Sea, Bath and Vale of Glamorgan. Balanescu composed the soundtrack of various movies, among which Angels and Insects, Le Poulpe, Il Partigiano Johnny and Eisenstein, How I Spent the End of the World, Tablo, TV Documentaries and over 20 animation films. He has released Possessed, Luminitza, Angels and Insects, East Meets East, Il Partiggiano Johnny, Lume Lume, Maria T.

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