Mélodies Infinies
Naxos · 2024
SOLOIST · CELLO
Andrei Ioniță
Tchaikovsky
2015 Gold Medalist BBC
former New Generation Artist Major Orchestral Soloist
Chicago Symphony, Gewandhaus Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic & more ABOUT
Gold Medalist of the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, Andrei Ioniță has become one of the most compelling and expressive cellists of his generation. Celebrated for his passionate performances and distinctive artistry, he has been described by The Times of London as “one of the most exciting cellists to have emerged for a decade.” His debut album on Orchid Classics earned accolades from Gramophone for its “superb skill, musical imagination and a commitment to music of our time.”
He has performed as soloist with leading orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Gewandhaus Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Münchner Philharmoniker, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and San Diego Symphony. He has given recitals at major venues and festivals such as the Elbphilharmonie, Konzerthaus Berlin, Zurich Tonhalle, Verbier Festival, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, and the Martha Argerich Festival. A versatile and collaborative artist, Ioniță is a sought-after chamber musician, having performed with celebrated ensembles and instrumentalists across Europe and North America. In the 2025–26 season, he appears with the Utah Chamber Music Festival, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and the Richardson Symphony.
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A native of Bucharest, Ioniță studied with Ani-Marie Paladi and later with Jens Peter Maintz at the University of the Arts in Berlin. He previously earned top honors at the Khachaturian, ARD, and Emanuel Feuermann competitions and served as a BBC New Generation Artist and artist-in-residence with the Hamburg Symphony. He performs on a cello by Filippo Fasser of Brescia.
PRESS & REVIEWS
What the critics say
“A fully individual musical personality with a sparkling technique and priceless ability to respond to surroundings.”
— The Guardian
“One of the most exciting cellists to have emerged for a decade.”
— The Times of London
“Superbly handled with joy; rarely so impressed by a debut recital album on so many fronts.”
— The Strad
“superb skill, musical imagination and a commitment to music of our time”
— Gramophone
Discography
Recordings
Ernst von Dohnányi Concertos
Capriccio · 2022
Oblique Strategies
Orchid Classics · 2019
Brahms: Complete Clarinet Sonatas & Trio
IBS Classical · 2018
Rococo Variations
MPHIL · 2017
VIDEOS
Videos
Concerto Repertoire
Programs & Repertoire
Concerto Repertoire
- C.P.E. Bach Cello Concerto in A major, Wq. 172
- Beethoven Triple Concerto, Op. 56
- Bloch Schelomo
- Boccherini Cello Concerto in B-flat major, G. 482
- Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Op. 102
- Dutilleux Tout un monde lointain…
- Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
- Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
- Enescu Symphonie Concertante, Op. 8
- Haydn Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
- Lalo Cello Concerto in D minor
- Lutosławski Cello Concerto
- Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125
- Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33
- Schumann Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129
- Shostakovich Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
- R. Strauss Don Quixote, Op. 35
- Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33
Program One
Solo Recital
- Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
- Brett Dean Eleven Oblique Strategies
- Svante Henryson Black Run for Solo Cello
- Intermission
- Kodály Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8
Program Two
With Naoko Sonoda, piano
- Locatelli Cello Sonata in D major (arr. Piatti)
- Stravinsky Suite italienne
- Bach Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
- Intermission
- Shostakovich Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40
On Stage
Featured Projects
Enescu: Symphonie Concertante, Op. 8
Cello
George Enescu's Symphonie Concertante for cello and orchestra, Op. 8, holds a special place in Andrei Ioniță's heart. A Bucharest native and Gold Medalist of the Tchaikovsky Competition, Ioniță brings his celebrated artistry to this richly Romantic showcase by Romania's greatest composer — a rarely heard cornerstone of the cello-and-orchestra repertoire.
William Hagen, Andrei Ioniță & Orion Weiss
Piano Trio
William Hagen (violin), Andrei Ioniță (cello), and Orion Weiss (piano) are available on very select dates to perform piano-trio programs together. These three powerhouse young soloists — each an important artist in their own right — prioritize chamber music, collaboration, and artistic partnership in their careers.