PERFORMING ARTISTS:

Eugenia Moliner (Spain) on flute
Denis Azabagic (Bosnia) on guitar

BIOGRAPHY:

After wining the “Young Musicians of the Doelen” competition in Rotterdam (Netherlands) in 1996, their powerful and versatile performances have captivated audiences in many festivals of chamber music across Europe, Asia and North America: Ravinia Festival in Chicago, Aix en Provence summer festival (France), Eem & Veem festival in Groningen (Netherlands), International Guitar Festival in Frechen (Germany), Dame Myra Hess Series (USA), and The Link (Netherlands), National concert Hall in Taipei (Taiwan).

Cavatina Duo was a recipient of the Encore prize in 2003, granted for their collaboration with the composer Michael Karmon. Their commitment to increase the original repertoire for this combination has already inspired composers from around the world to arrange and dedicate new works to the duo: Sérgio Assad, Clarice Assad (Brazil), Carlos Rivera, Michael Karmon, Michael Djupstrom (USA), Alan Thomas, (UK-USA), Erik Otte (The Netherlands), Alejandro Yagüe (Spain), Boris Gaquere (Belgium), V. Ivanovic (Bosnia/Greece).

Cavatina’s repertoire includes music from the baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary periods, including American and South American composers as well as music based on folklore from Spain and the Balkans regions.

The Duo’s performances have been broadcast by radio and television stations in Europe and North America (NPR, WFMT, RNE). They have been the subject of interviews in several international magazines: Classical guitar (UK), Guitarra Magazine (Web) and Soundboard (USA). Also, they are the first guitar and flute duo to be featured on the cover of Classical guitar (UK). They have recorded three CD’s for Spanish and North American labels: Opera Tres, Orobroy and Çedille Records. Future projects include a complete CD of Piazzolla arrangements, as well as a recording of their commissions of the Balkan music which will be released by Çedille Records in 2009.

Eugenia Moliner has been acclaimed as a “Brilliant young musician” by the British Flute Society magazine. She has appeared in radio (WFMT, NPR, RNE) and television programs in Spain, Netherlands, Taiwan and the USA.

Mrs. Moliner has performed with the principal musicians of the Chicago Symphony and Rotterdam Philharmonic. Her discography includes four CD’s with Çedille, Orobroy and Opera Tres. She regularly gives master classes while on tour with the Duo. Mrs. Moliner holds Degrees in musicperformances from the Valencia (Spain) and Rotterdam (The Netherlands) Conservatorium’s.

Described as a “virtuoso with flawless technique” by Soundboard, Denis Azabagic has appeared as a soloist with orchestras such us the Chicago Symphony and Madrid Symphony, among many others. Winner of eleven international competitions, his discography includes seven CDs on the Naxos, Çedille, Opera Tres and Orobroy labels, two DVD’s (Mel Bay) and a manual entitled “On Competitions — Dealing with Performance Stress” (published also by Mel Bay). He is a member of the guitar faculty at the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University.

The mixture of Spanish passion and Balkan sensibility make the Cavatina Duo concerts a unique experience.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

“It’s doubtful that the Cavatina’s sophisticated and artistic playing could be surpassed.”
— Fanfare

“This is not the sort of playing that comes from discussion and careful score markings. These two feel the music deeply and are of one mind as they play.”
— American Record Guide

“Outstanding communicative abilities.”
— Classical Guitar Magazine

“Cavatina Duo worked a kind of magic with their instruments.”
— Mundelein Review (Sun-Times)

“Spectacular!”
— British Flute Society Magazine