A Successful Beginning

Young cellist Ștefan Cazacu (25) has a visiting card that represents the basis of a successful career: a complex education achieved in his early life in a family of famous musicians, academic musical studies attended in Bucharest (Romania) and in Vienna (Austria), numerous prizes at various national and international competitions, performances (as soloist) together with all symphonic orchestras in Romania, recitals in The Netherlands, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Germany etc.

A Collection Cello

His story in the realm of music is written along together with his travelling companion – a collection cello played by Ștefan Cazacu since he was 15. The instrument is a precious gift received from his father, Marin Cazacu (one of the greatest cellist in Romania), and it was produced over 100 years ago (in 1917), in Turin, Italy, by the string-instrument maker Georg Ullman. The costliest instrument Georg Ullman ever produced was auctioned for Eur 43,000!

Under the Guidance of Great Cellists

Born in 1994, Ştefan Cazacu started his musical education from the age of 6, together with his father, the well-known cellist Marin Cazacu. He graduated from the Romanian National University of Music, Bucharest, and he took his Master degree at the same academic institution (class of another important Romanian cellist: Răzvan Suma).

Due to an Erasmus grant given by the European Union, he completed his Master studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria – one of the most important worldwide institutions in the field, with a history older than 200 years (since 1817).

Ştefan Cazacu has participated in Masterclasses taught by well-known cellists, greatly appreciated on the international music stage – such as: Reinhard Latzko, Wolfgang Boettcher and Frans Helmerson.

International Recognition

Ștefan Cazacu’s talent was rewarded with numerous prizes at various national and international competitions, such as: First Prize at the International Cello Competition in Liezen, Austria (2008), Second Prize at the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition in Zagreb, Croatia (2008),  Great  Prize at the National Selection for the  Eurovision Young Musicians Contest, in Bucharest, Romania (2010) and many others.

He has also performed solo recitals in Romania, the Netherlands, Israel, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia and has played as soloist  with all symphonic orchestras in Romania and also with other symphonic orchestras such as: the National Philharmonic in  Kishinev (Republic of Moldova) and the Alicante Youth Orchestra (Spain).

 

He has performed under the baton of well-known conductors: Cristian Mandeal, Horia Andreescu, Cristian Măcelaru, Camil Marinescu, Theo Wolters.