French violinist Blaise Magnière and Taiwanese cellist Cheng-Hou Lee are both members of the Avalon Quartet, which captured the top prize at the ARD Competition in Munich and 1st Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York City. They were described by the Chicago Tribune as “an ensemble that invites you—ears, mind, and spirit—into its music.” The quartet trained intensively with the Juilliard, Emerson and Vermeer Quartets.
Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner and Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagic are a husband-and-wife team acclaimed worldwide as the Cavatina Duo. They have captivated audiences with their electrifying performances in such major venues and festivals as Ravinia (Chicago), Da Camera Society (Los Angeles), Aix-en-Provence Summer Festival (France), the National Concert Hall of Taipei (Taiwan), National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing (China), National Flute Convention Gala Concert (USA), the Harris Theater (Chicago), Kolkata International Guitar Festival (India), Palau de la Musica (Spain), among many others. "If there is a finer flute and guitar duo in the world than Cavatina Duo, I have not heard them," raved Soundboard Magazine.
Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner and Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagic are a husband-and-wife team acclaimed worldwide as the Cavatina Duo. They have captivated audiences with their electrifying performances in such major venues and festivals as Ravinia (Chicago), Da Camera Society (Los Angeles), Aix-en-Provence Summer Festival (France), the National Concert Hall of Taipei (Taiwan), National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing (China), National Flute Convention Gala Concert (USA), the Harris Theater (Chicago), Kolkata International Guitar Festival (India), Palau de la Musica (Spain), among many others. "If there is a finer flute and guitar duo in the world than Cavatina Duo, I have not heard them," raved Soundboard Magazine.
Eugenia Moliner has been acclaimed as “brilliant” by the British Flute Society magazine. She has performed with principal musicians from the Chicago Symphony, Rotterdam Philharmonic and Toronto Symphony orchestras and appeared with many renowned ensembles including the Chicago Chamber Musicians. Eugenia has been featured on radio and television programs in Europe, Asia and the USA. Her discography includes seven CDs.
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A prize-winner in twenty-four international competitions, Denis Azabagic has been described as a “virtuoso with flawless technique” by Soundboard Magazine. He has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as the Chicago and Madrid Symphonies, among many others. His discography includes eleven CDs and two DVDs. "Denis Azabagic demonstrated his unbelievable guitar playing skills, sincere love of music, professionalism and passion…" Chicagotribune.com
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French violinist Blaise Magnière and Taiwanese cellist Cheng-Hou Lee are both members of the Avalon Quartet, which captured the top prize at the ARD Competition in Munich and 1st Prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York City. The quartet trained intensively with the Juilliard, Emerson and Vermeer Quartets.
Blaise Magnière has been praised for his “virtuosic skill” (Stage and Cinema) and “poised expression" (Chicago Classical Review). He has appeared at festivals such as Caramoor, Mostly Mozart, La Jolla, Ravinia, Bath and Aldeburgh. His performances and conversation have been heard on BBC, CBC (Canada), ABC (Australia) and France-Musique. He studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School in England during his high school years before attending the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with Donald Weilerstein.
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Cheng-Hou Lee won the Manhattan School of Music Concerto Competition, the Tuesday Musical Club Competition in Houston, and Taiwan's National Cello Competition. He has performed throughout the USA, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He has appeared as soloist with Chicago Chamber Orchestra and Illinois Philharmonic and performed for Lincoln Center's “What Makes It Great?” series and Jordan Hall’s 100th anniversary in Boston. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School, and his Doctorate of Musical Art from the New England Conservatory.
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"Defined as 'an animated Spanish dance in triple time,' the reference clearly describes the performance that was presented yesterday afternoon . . . Moliner on flute and Azabagic on guitar were absolutely locked together in a hypnotic sensuous dance performing Piazzolla's Café 1930. The rich resonance of Moliner's flute penetrating the full register of her instrument, and in the passages when she turned to Azabagic (her husband) and intoned notes into the body of the guitar, it brought to mind the concept of 'Duende,' Lorca's reference to a magical power of the soul . . . This group will be dancing in my mind for months to come!"
--William Neil, WDRT Symphony Sunday
"An exciting and refreshing ensemble with authentic repertoire choices, exciting arrangements, and newly commissioned works . . . a nearly sold-out audience . . . gorgeous sounds . . . brilliant execution . . . a captivating performance . . . toe-tapping . . . this performance undoubtedly showed Fandango!’s variety of articulations, colors, and panache.”
—SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW
--William Neil, WDRT Symphony Sunday
"An exciting and refreshing ensemble with authentic repertoire choices, exciting arrangements, and newly commissioned works . . . a nearly sold-out audience . . . gorgeous sounds . . . brilliant execution . . . a captivating performance . . . toe-tapping . . . this performance undoubtedly showed Fandango!’s variety of articulations, colors, and panache.”
—SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW