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Draft:Cavatina Duo

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Cavatina Duo
GenresBaroque, Classical, Contemporary, World Music
OccupationMusicians
Instrument(s)Flute and Classical Guitar
Years active1999-present
LabelsCedille, Bridge
MembersEugenia Moliner, Denis Azabagic
Websitewww.CavatinaDuo.com

Cavatina Duo is an internationally acclaimed chamber music ensemble formed by Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner and Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagic..[1] The duo has gained recognition for their virtuosic performances and innovative repertoire, earning a reputation as one of the finest flute and guitar duos in the world. Known for their wide-ranging programs and collaborations with renowned composers, orchestras, and chamber groups, they have performed in over 30 countries at prestigious venues and festivals.

Early Formation and Musical Style

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The Cavatina Duo's collaboration began when Moliner and Azabagic met in the Netherlands while they were students at CODARTS. Their shared passion for chamber music and exploring the rich combination of flute and guitar led to the formation of the duo in 1999. Since then, they have built a diverse and dynamic repertoire that spans from Baroque and Classical pieces to contemporary works and original commissions. The duo is known for its sophisticated interpretations, seamless ensemble playing, and a distinctive ability to infuse traditional and modern music with emotional depth.

Critical Acclaim

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Critics and audiences alike have consistently praised the Cavatina Duo for their technical mastery and emotional expressiveness; 
"Style, sympathy, and technical aplomb... It's doubtful that the Cavatina's sophisticated and artistic playing could be surpassed." – Fanfare
"This pair is generally considered to be the best of them." – The New Yorker

Radio and television stations such as WFMT (Chicago) and NPR (USA), RNE (Spain) have featured their performances, and they have been profiled in international magazines, including Chamber Music America, FluteTalk (USA), Classical Guitar (UK), Soundboard (USA), TodoFlauta (Spain) and Ritmo (Spain). The Cavatina Duo is the first flute and guitar duo to be featured on the covers of Classical Guitar Magazine, FluteTalk, and Ritmo.

Performances and Collaborations

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The Cavatina Duo has performed at major concert halls and festivals around the world, including:

The duo has collaborated with a wide range of renowned chamber ensembles, including the Pacifica Quartet, Aspen Trio, Avalon Quartet, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and Civitas Ensemble. Their innovative programming extends to solo performances and collaborations with symphony orchestras, such as the Chicago Sinfonietta, Daejeon Philharmonic, Camerata Serbica, Langyang Symphony Orchestra, and others. [1]

Discography

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The Cavatina Duo's extensive discography includes[2][3]:

  • Cavatina Duo – Opera tres (1999)
  • Meditaciones – Orobroy (2001)
  • Acrobats – Cedille Records (2007)
  • The Balkan Project – Cedille Records (2010)
  • Cavatina Duo plays Astor Piazzolla – Bridge Records (2010)
  • Cavatina at the Opera – Bridge Records (2015, Critics Choice)
  • Sephardic Journey – Cedille Records (2016)
  • Sonic Migrations – Neos Records (2016)
  • Folias and Fantasias – Bridge Records (2020, Critics Choice)
  • Wings – Acis Records (2024)
  • River of Fire – Cedille Records (Upcoming, 2025)

Their albums reflect a commitment to expanding the flute and guitar repertoire, often through collaborations with composers such as Clarice Assad, Sérgio Assad, Alan Thomas, Carlos Rafael Rivera, David Leisner, and many others.

Commissions

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The Cavatina Duo has been dedicated to commissioning and premiering new works for flute and guitar. Some of the notable commissions include:

Original Works

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  • Sephardic Suite by Clarice Assad
  • Trio Sefardi by Alan Thomas
  • Isabel by Joseph Williams
  • Plegaria y Canto (Al Bodre de la Mar) by Carlos R. Rivera
  • Love Dreams of the Exile by David Leisner
  • Sivi Grivi by Alan Thomas
  • Vranjansky Cocek by Carlos R. Rivera
  • Ratchenitsa by Clarice Assad
  • Ajde Slusaj Kalesh Bre Andjo by Clarice Assad
  • Kalajdzisko Oro by Clarice Assad
  • Jovano Jovanke by Michael Karmon
  • Kopanitsa de Kalantchatska by Boris Gaquere
  • Eleno, Kerko Eleno by Matthew Dunne
  • Kad ja Podjoh na Bembasu by Vojislav Ivanovic
  • Concerto for Flute, Guitar, and Orchestra by Alan Thomas
  • Three Artisans by Matthew Dunn
  • Raga Ibriama by Atanas Ourkouzounov
  • Romani Songs by Stacey Garrop
  • Four Scenes by Clarice Assad
  • Contos Ciganos by Sérgio Assad

Arrangements

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Upcoming Projects

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The Cavatina Duo's next major release is River of Fire, a collaboration with the Pacifica Quartet, featuring commissioned works inspired by Gypsy music. This project will be released on Cedille Records in 2025 and includes compositions by Clarice and Sérgio Assad, Stacey Garrop, Atanas Ourkouzounov and Matthew Dunn[4]

Teaching and Artistic Direction

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In addition to their performing careers, Eugenia Moliner and Denis Azabagic are dedicated educators, serving as faculty members at the University of Illinois at Chicago[5][6]. They frequently present masterclasses across Europe, the USA, and Asia, sharing their expertise with the next generation of musicians. As artistic directors of both the Festival Juan Gual Esteve in Burriana, Spain, and the Chicago Guitar Festival. These festivals not only feature world-class performances but also host international competitions aimed to help launching the careers of promising young ensembles. Through these initiatives, the Cavatina Duo plays a crucial role in fostering the future of chamber music for flute and guitar.

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Chamber Music America

Ritmo

British Flute Society Magazine

Cedille Records Podcast

Guitar Salon Internacional Podcast

Chicago Flute Club Magazine Interview

Flute Talk Interview

Classical Guitar Interview

The British Flute Society Magazine Interview

Asociacion Espanola de Flauta AFE

Vancouver Classic Guitar Society

References

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  1. ^ a b "Cavatina Duo | University of Idaho". www.uidaho.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  2. ^ "Cavatina Duo". Cedille Records. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  3. ^ "Search: 4 results found for "cavatina duo"". Bridge Records. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  4. ^ Christiansen, Kai (27 July 2017). "Gypsy Music-River of Fire". earsense.
  5. ^ Music, School of Theatre & (2020-10-29). "Eugenia Moliner - School of Theatre & Music". Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  6. ^ "UIC Directory". www.uic.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
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