Brașov, Romania
On 1 October, the Brașov Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra presents Don Quixote at the Sala Patria of the Brașov Philharmonic in Brașov, Romania. Renowned cellist Kristina Blaumane appears as the evening's soloist, bringing depth and expressive artistry to this celebrated symphonic masterpiece.
Born in 1989, french conductor David Molard Soriano is known for his versatility in both symphonic and operatic repertoires. He was invited these past years by a large range of orchestras and opera houses: Bordeaux National Opera (Madama Butterfly and ballet Don Quixote), Orchestre National de Metz, the Romanian Radio Chamber Orchestra, Opéra Orchestre national de Montpellier during the Festival Radio France Occitanie Montpellier, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, the Russian National Orchestra, Opéra national de Lorraine, Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire at the Folles Journées de Nantes, Orchestre national de Bretagne, Opéra de Limoges, Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Saint-Etienne, and the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra with Oscar-winner Gabriel Yared. Since 2021, he is a regular guest conductor at the Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra.
Read MoreIn 2023/24, he made successful debuts in Monaco with all the artistic forces (Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera and Ballets of Monte-Carlo, Cecilia Bartoli Academy) in a new production of Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortilèges and Balanchine's La Valse (Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentale & La Valse), a real triumph in the frame of Rainier III's centenary.
The 2024/25 season highlights focused on developing his relationship with Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra; he also went back to the Orchestre national de France and to the Opera de Monte-Carlo. In 2025/26, he makes his debuts with the Enescu Philharmonic and the Camerata Regala of Bucarest. He will also conduct two prestigious programs during the Enescu Festival. In May 2026, he is Jaap van Zweden's assistant conductor for the Asia tour of the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France.
As Paavo Järvi's assistant conductor from 2014 to 2018, David Molard Soriano worked with him at the Orchestre de Paris and at the Estonian Festival Orchestra (Pärnu Music Festival and BBC Proms). At the same time, he assisted conductors Fabien Gabel and Gustavo Dudamel at the Rencontres Musicales d'Evian. In 2019, he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Orchestre National de France: until 2022, he worked with Music Directors Emmanuel Krivine and Cristian Macelaru and conducted several concerts and recordings with this leading orchestra.
In 2022, he founded the “Rencontres Musicales” at Château d’Ainay-le-Vieil (France) where he assembles his own festival orchestra. The very successful previous editions featured soloists Marie-Ange Nguci, Florian Sempey, Liya Petrova, Aurélien Pascal, Manon Galy, Raphaël Sévère, Catherine Trottmann, Anaëlle Tourret among others. Next edition will take place in this wonderful medieval castle in August 2026, with flutist Iris Daverio and violinist Sarah Nemtanu, among other programs.
As the founder & Music Director of the Orchestre des Jeunes d’Île-de-France, comprised of the best musicians of the young generation, David Molard Soriano presented top-class concerts with a thrilling repertoire – including Saint-Saëns’ 3rd symphony on the greatest French organ with Thomas Ospital, and the French edition of Vadim Repin’s famous Trans-Siberian Festival featuring Jean-Claude Casadesus and Nicholas Angelich in Lille.
He was a semi-finalist at the Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors in 2021.
Latvian cellist Kristina Blaumane is invited to play as a soloist with orchestras, recitalist and chamber musician around the world.
She has performed as a soloist with London Philharmonic Orchestra (under Vladimir Jurowski, Osmo Vänskä, Andrey Boreyko and Thierry Fischer), Amsterdam Sinfonietta (Lev Markiz and Pieter Oundjian), Chicago Civic Orchestra (Andris Nelsons), MDR Symphony orchestra (Kristjan Jarvi), Kremerata Baltica, Britten Sinfonia, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Latvian National Opera Orchestra, Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Riga, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Sofia Soloists, Plovdiv Opera Orchestra, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Ensemble Ubertini, Dalarna Sinfonietta and others.
Read MoreBlaumane is a keen chamber musician and has worked in partnership with such artists as Isaac Stern, Leif Ove Andsnes, Yuri Bashmet, Gidon Kremer, Yo Yo Ma, Janine Jansen, Julian Rachlin, Boris Brovtsyn, Roman Mints, Maxim Rysanov, Katya Apekisheva, Jacob Katsnelson, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Misha Maisky, Nikolaj Znaider, Tatyana Grindenko, Oleg Maisenberg among others, and has performed at the festivals such as Lockenhaus, Gstaad, Salzburg, Verbier, Basel, Jerusalem, Amsterdam Cello Biennale, Utrecht, Spitalfields, Cheltenham, Aldeburgh, Homecoming and Crescendo.
Kristina has been an avid promoter of new music. She made a number of world premieres, among them cello concertos by Dobrinka Tabakova, Kristaps Petersons, Peteris Plakidis, Artem Vassiliev and most recently-Elena Langer. Kristina appears as a soloist on the ECM debut disc of composer Dobrinka Tabakova, which reached number 2 in the UK classical charts and has received a GRAMMY nomination. Composer’s 2nd edition “SunTriptych” with K. Blaumane’s solo won the 2026 BBC Music Magazine Premiere Award.
Besides this CD Kristina has recorded for ONYX, QUARTZ, Harmonia Mundi , BIS and BMG labels.
Born in Riga and graduated from the Latvian Academy of Music, where she studied with Eleonora Testeleca and Guildhall School of Music and Drama (prof. Stefan Popov).
Kristina is a winner of many awards including Latvian Philharmonic Young Musician of the Year, Latvian Television Competition “Alternativa”, Carmel International Competition, Musicians Benevolent Fund and Lord Mayor’s Prize.
She is a three time laureate of Grand Music Award (Lielā Mūzikas Balva), the highest prize given by the Latvian State in the field of music (2005; 2007; 2023).
Since 2007 Kristina combines her busy career with a principal cello position in London Philharmonic Orchestra. K.Blaumane is also a member of Trio Palladio.
The Brașov Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, with deep roots in the European musical tradition dating back to 1878, stands today as a benchmark of artistic excellence. The institution’s leadership, represented by figures such as Sebastian Tegzeșiu and Florin Ionescu-Galați, together with the orchestra’s outstanding musicians and guest collaborators, maintains a performance standard that has captivated both local audiences and prestigious concert stages across Europe.
Each year, the Brașov Philharmonic presents more than 160 events in its home venue, Patria Hall, as well as in unconventional spaces, ranging from symphonic concerts and chamber recitals to jazz, film music, contemporary music performances, and educational projects for children.
Founded with the mission of bringing classical music closer to the community, the various musical ensembles and organizational structures that have existed throughout the Philharmonic’s history—including the Brașov Philharmonic Society, the „Gheorghe Dima” Philharmonic Association, and the Brașov State Philharmonic—have successfully navigated two significant historical periods: the interwar era and the communist period.
Read MoreFollowing the difficult years of the Second World War, the credit for reorganizing and reshaping the newly established symphony orchestra belongs unquestionably to the distinguished conductor and professor Dinu Niculescu. The orchestra reached artistic maturity under the baton of Maestro Ilarion Ionescu-Galați, who founded the International Chamber Music Festival, a tradition that continues to this day.
An active member of both the national and international cultural community, the Brașov Philharmonic has received numerous awards in recent years, undertaken concert tours, and collaborated with embassies and renowned artists, continually reaffirming its role as a cultural ambassador of Brașov.
The past six years have marked a period of modernization, rejuvenation, and innovation for the Philharmonic. In September 2020, pianist Ioan Dragoș Dimitriu became the youngest director in the institution’s history. Under his leadership, the orchestra expanded its activities and became an increasingly vibrant presence in the heart of the city. Music was brought into public squares and onto major international stages, culminating in a remarkable tour of England alongside the world-renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov.
In October 2023, the interim management was assumed by Concertmaster Sebastian Tegzeșiu, who transformed each concert into a memorable musical celebration, warmly received by audiences. Through inspired programming and distinguished guest artists, the Brașov Philharmonic once again shone on both local and international stages. On April 9, 2024, the institution made history by performing in Berlin’s prestigious Großer Saal of the Berliner Philharmonie, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Under the baton of Maestro Daisuke Soga, the orchestra delivered a vibrant and emotionally charged interpretation that was met with enthusiastic acclaim from the international audience.
Today, the Brașov Philharmonic remains a vital pillar of Brașov’s cultural life, continuing to bring joy, inspiration, and artistic excellence to its audiences through high-quality concerts and musical events.
