Carmen Stefanescu was born in Bucharest,
Romania. She received her first piano
instruction when she was four years old.
After the escape of her family from Romania
she continued her piano training as
extraordinary student with Professor Ulla Graf
at the „University of Music“, Aachen. At one point, she interrupted her
classical music training and spent the next few years of her career performing
contemporary music, playing the keyboard in different Rock and Pop groups,
and also as a tour and studio musician. Thus, she became a wanderer
between the musical worlds. Later, Carmen Stefanescu finished her classical
music study with Professor Ulla Graf, and was awarded an artistic diploma.
She also supplemented her musical education by training with Dr. Rudolf
Neumann and Bruno Canino, as well as studying master classes for
chamber music and as a recital collaborator. Repeatedly, she has been
invited as a lecturer for the master classes at „Campus Internationale
Sermoneta“. Special highlights in her artistic work include her cooperative
efforts with such renowned international artists as Stephan Picard, Ann Shih
and Mariana Sirbu. Her musical versatility has been demonstrated during
numerous appearances with her duo partner Lukas Dreyer, with the
chanson singer Iane Reisenauer, and during recitals with mezzo-soprano
Elvira Dressen and soprano Christine Maria Rembeck.
classical music training and spent the next few years of her career performing
contemporary music, playing the keyboard in different Rock and Pop groups,
and also as a tour and studio musician. Thus, she became a wanderer
between the musical worlds. Later, Carmen Stefanescu finished her classical
music study with Professor Ulla Graf, and was awarded an artistic diploma.
She also supplemented her musical education by training with Dr. Rudolf
Neumann and Bruno Canino, as well as studying master classes for
chamber music and as a recital collaborator. Repeatedly, she has been
invited as a lecturer for the master classes at „Campus Internationale
Sermoneta“. Special highlights in her artistic work include her cooperative
efforts with such renowned international artists as Stephan Picard, Ann Shih
and Mariana Sirbu. Her musical versatility has been demonstrated during
numerous appearances with her duo partner Lukas Dreyer, with the
chanson singer Iane Reisenauer, and during recitals with mezzo-soprano
Elvira Dressen and soprano Christine Maria Rembeck.
Lukas Dreyer was born in Doebeln, Saxony,
into a musician family. Already early on
music became an important part of his life.
He began his cello study with Professor
Daniel-Robert Graf at the college of music
Frankfurt/Main and took later his concert
exam with Professor Hans-Christian Schweiker
into a musician family. Already early on
music became an important part of his life.
He began his cello study with Professor
Daniel-Robert Graf at the college of music
Frankfurt/Main and took later his concert
exam with Professor Hans-Christian Schweiker
at the „University of Music“, Aachen. A scholarship of the DAAD made it
possible for him to study chamber music with Professor Sandor Devich in
Budapest. Studies with Professor Hubert Buchberger, as well as master
classes with Menahem Pressler, the Alban Berg quartet and the Bartok quartet
supplemented his artistic training. In addition, he was promoted as a scholarship
holder by the national donation „Villa Musica“ Rhineland-Palatinate.
Apart from his cooperation in the duo with Carmen Stefanescu,
he is a member and arranger for quattrocelli, a cello quartet
that has performed in Europe and the USA. In 2003, quattrocelli
recorded the CD „kaleidoskop“ as a production of the NDR Hannover,
Germany. As soloist, he performed concerts with the Kurpfälzisches
Kammerorchester and the Reussisches Kammerorchester. Lukas Dreyer also
is the principal cellist at the Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera.
Earlier in 2005, a CD was released featuring the Philharmonisches
Orchester Altenburg-Gera under Gabriel Feltz, with Lukas Dreyer as
soloist in the tone poem „Don Quixote“ by Richard Strauss.
possible for him to study chamber music with Professor Sandor Devich in
Budapest. Studies with Professor Hubert Buchberger, as well as master
classes with Menahem Pressler, the Alban Berg quartet and the Bartok quartet
supplemented his artistic training. In addition, he was promoted as a scholarship
holder by the national donation „Villa Musica“ Rhineland-Palatinate.
Apart from his cooperation in the duo with Carmen Stefanescu,
he is a member and arranger for quattrocelli, a cello quartet
that has performed in Europe and the USA. In 2003, quattrocelli
recorded the CD „kaleidoskop“ as a production of the NDR Hannover,
Germany. As soloist, he performed concerts with the Kurpfälzisches
Kammerorchester and the Reussisches Kammerorchester. Lukas Dreyer also
is the principal cellist at the Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera.
Earlier in 2005, a CD was released featuring the Philharmonisches
Orchester Altenburg-Gera under Gabriel Feltz, with Lukas Dreyer as
soloist in the tone poem „Don Quixote“ by Richard Strauss.
Cellist Lukas Dreyer and Pianist Carmen Stefanescu became acquainted with one an-other during their studies in Aachen. They formed the duo „con pasión“, in order to explore music beyond the usual sonata repertoire. In doing so, programs developed and still develop with clear thematic emphasis. Whether Spain or Latin America, the fantasy has no borders. But one thing is common to all of their programs: They thrive on unusual combinations. Their music cannot be approached on a rational level, it must be conquered with emotion and passion, „con pasión“.
Not only do they play original compositions, but also ensemble pieces. The duo has performed in Germany and Europe and produced with the South West German broadcast. „alma y música“ is their first CD.
Not only do they play original compositions, but also ensemble pieces. The duo has performed in Germany and Europe and produced with the South West German broadcast. „alma y música“ is their first CD.
