'Maestro, please join us for the concert!' - with these words, imagined as being spoken by violinist Alexandru Tomescu to Constantin Brancusi, a remarkable encounter between music and sculpture came to an end on Sunday evening in Oradea.

At St Nicholas Greek Catholic Cathedral, a large audience experienced the emotion of a concert in which the sounds of the Stradivarius Elder-Voicu violin, guitar and bandoneon created a dialogue across time dedicated to the great Romanian sculptor.

As part of the 2026 International Stradivarius Tour, violinist Alexandru Tomescu, accompanied by guitarist Dragos Ilie and Argentine artist Omar Massa on bandoneon, performed a concert in which music reflecting the tastes and spiritual universe of Constantin Brancusi was brought to life through highly refined performances.

Organised in partnership with the Greek Catholic Diocese of Oradea through its Cultural Department, the event placed the celebrated Stradivarius Elder-Voicu violin at centre stage. The instrument, classified as a national heritage treasure, has been in Alexandru Tomescu's hands for almost two decades. Between performances, the artist offered the audience brief introductions and explanations, evoking the subtle connections between Brancusi's work, music and the great cultural landmarks of Europe.

Music lovers listened to works that formed a genuine sonic journey through the Romanian sculptor's universe of inspiration: 'Gymnopedie No. 3' by Erik Satie, 'Ballad' by George Enescu, 'Six Romanian Folk Dances' by Bela Bartok, 'Rondo in D Major' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a work by Johann Sebastian Bach, 'Spanish Suite' by Manuel de Falla and 'Histoire du Tango' by Astor Piazzolla.

Alexandru Tomescu said that, for him, the connection between Brancusi's work, the sound of the Stradivarius violin and his own artistic path is founded on the same aspiration.

'The pursuit of perfection is the common denominator. Each of us does it in our own way. From this meeting of excellence, a dialogue across time is born, in which music and sculpture speak the same language of emotion and refinement,' the violinist told AGERPRES.

The artist admitted that, despite the thousands of concerts he has performed with the Elder-Voicu Stradivarius, the instrument continues to surprise him. 'It is like a living being, one you never tire of,' he said.

Asked what piece he would have performed for Constantin Brancusi had the great sculptor been present in the audience, Alexandru Tomescu answered without hesitation: George Enescu's 'Ballad.'

'The relationship between them remains one of the great mysteries in the lives of both men. We know they met and we even have film footage of them at the Behague Palace in Paris. I am convinced that Brancusi, who found so many sources of inspiration in folklore, would not have remained indifferent to George Enescu's music. And what would I have said to him if he had been in the audience? 'Maestro, please join us for the concert!',' the violinist confessed.

The host of the event, Greek Catholic Bishop Virgil Bercea, described the concert as 'a wonderful evening,' praising the ability of the three musicians' music to uplift souls and remind people that they were created 'for greater things.'

'These three messengers of music and of the Brancusian spirit offered the audience a precious and memorable gift,' Bishop Virgil Bercea told AGERPRES.

In turn, Roman Catholic Bishop Bocskei Laszlo highlighted the importance of such cultural events, which give the community an opportunity to step away from the pace of daily life and rediscover the spiritual dimension of existence.

'These are special moments that help us discover God's closeness because He is the source of all goodness. I am pleased that our churches are present in the life of the community through such cultural initiatives and with partners who offer music of the highest quality,' Bishop Bocskei Laszlo told AGERPRES.

Each year, violinist Alexandru Tomescu, the leader of the International Stradivarius Tour project, brings the sound of the finest music to all regions of the country, accompanied by the Stradivarius Elder-Voicu violin.

Now in its nineteenth edition, this year's International Stradivarius Tour runs from 13 June to 18 July and is dedicated, under the title 'The Muses,' to the 150th anniversary of Constantin Brancusi's birth. Through the music presented on stages across the country, the project offers an exploration of the sonic universe that inspired the great Romanian sculptor, demonstrating that, beyond time, art continues to speak the same language of emotion and beauty. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Eugenia Pasca; EN - writing by:Adina Panaitescu)

Photo: Eugenia Pașca/AGERPRES