Christian Fatu is recognized as one of today’s most exciting young violinists, praised for his virtuosity, technique and bright artistry. He has presented numerous solo recitals for audiences in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Tunis, Israel, Japan and the United States. Fatu has also taken part in many music festivals around the world such as the International Music Academy in Freyburg, Maine (2007); the International Summer Academy Prag-Wien-Budapest in Austria (2004); the Kyoto International Music Students Festival in Japan, representing the Bucharest National University of Music (2003); and L’Octobre Musical de Carthage in Tunisia (1999).
He has won over 25 prizes in various national and international competitions including the First Prize at Kingsville International String Competitions, Texas, USA (2008); First Prize, Naftzger Auditions, Wichita State University, Kansas, USA (2009 & 2008); First and Grand Prize at “Remember Enescu” International Violin Competition in Romania (2000); First Prize at the “Rovere D’Oro” International Music Competition, Italy (1996); and First Prize at “Citta di Stressa” International Music Competition, Italy (1995 & 1994). The Murnauer Tagblatt in Germany praised his “wonderful virtuosity as well as perfect technique.”
Born into a musical family in 1983, Fatu began studying violin at the age of 4 and made his debut at age 16 in a performance of the Bruch Concerto with Bucharest’s National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Subsequently he appeared as a soloist with orchestras in Romania and the United States, including the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, the Iaşi Philharmonic and the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra. In 2001, the Romanian Union of Musical Critics awarded him its annual “Young Musician Debut” prize.
Throughout his career, Fatu participated in Master Classes with renowned artists such as Stefan Gheorghiu, Robert Szreder, Erich Gruenberg, Eric Rosenblith and Vladimir Spivakov.
Following formative studies at the “George Enescu” Music Lyceum in Bucharest, Fatu earned an Bachelor's degree at the National Music University of Bucharest, Romania and a Masters degree at Park University, Parkville MO, USA. Currently he is pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Park University under the direction of Ben Sayevich.
Between 2010 - 2011 Fatu was part of the UMKC Graduate Strings Fellowship Quartet, a prestigious professional String Quartet training program.
Between 2010 - 2011 Fatu was part of the UMKC Graduate Strings Fellowship Quartet, a prestigious professional String Quartet training program.
His debut recording From Bucharest to Kansas City, a self-released album, was described as "a sort of musical travelogue, telling the story of Fatu's own life-journey" in a review by the Independent of Kansas City. In July 2010 joined by the Russian pianist and wife Victoria Fatu - Martirosyan, Fatu released his second CD entitled New Beginnings on Tzigane Music Label featuring works by Debussy, Ravel, Bartok and Tchaikovsky.
Fatu resides in Kansas City together with his wife Victoria and their new born baby girl Vivienne Nicole. In his spare time he enjoys photography, literature, high-tech gadgets, cycling and jogging.
EDUCATION AND VIOLIN PROFESSORS
2011 Park University, Parkville, MO, USA
A.D. - Artist Diploma in progress
Prof: Ben SAYEVICH
2010 Park University, Parkville, MO, USA
M.M. - Masters in Violin Performance
Prof: Ben SAYEVICH
2008 Park University, Parkville, MO, USA
G.C.M.U. - Graduate Artist Certificate in Music
Prof: Ben SAYEVICH
2005 – 2006 Der Hochschule für Musik Köln, Germany
Interntional Erasmus-Socrates Student
Prof: Mihaela MARTIN
2006 The National Music University of Bucharest, Romania
B.M. - Bachelor's in Music
Prof: Gabriel CROITORU
2002 Music High School „George Enescu” Bucharest, Romania
Prof: Olivia PAPA
Prof: Mihaela TOMESCU
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2006 - 2010 Park University, Parkville, MO
Violin Instructor at the International Center for Music Youth Conservatory for students at high school level.
Teaching Assistant to Prof: Ben Sayevich
2009 - Present Saint Paul's Episcopal Day School, Kansas City, MO
Violin Instructor for students at elementary and middle school level.
June - August 2008 Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Twin Lake, MI
Violin and Orchestral Instructor. Lead section rehearsals and instruct in violin playing, musicianship and the art of orchestral playing of the senior and junior orchestras.
2008 - Present Kansas City, MO
Private Studio. Maintained a succesful studio with violin students at advanced highschool level on a private basis. Coached chamber music groups.
VIOLIN MASTER CLASSES ATTENDED
Stefan GHEORGHIU – Romania (1997, 1998)
Erich GRUENBERG – England (2004)
Petru MUNTEANU – Germany (1999)
Eszther PERENYI – Hungary (1998)
Vladimir SPIVAKOV – Russia (2004)
Robert SZREDER – Holland (2003)
Sergiu SCHWARTZ – USA (1998)
Ion VOICU – Romania (1997)
Sherban LUPU – USA (1997)
Stefan COLES – Italy (1996)
Philipe KOCH– Belgium (2004)
Eric ROSENBLITH – USA (2007)
CONCERTS AND RECITALS
Romania, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Israel, Tunis, USA & Japan.
HONORS AND AWARDS
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS
2011 Winner Artist Presentation Society Auditions, St. Louis, Missouri - USA
2009 First Prize Naftzger Auditions, University of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas – USA
2009 Scholarship, Kansas City Musical Club, Kansas City, Missouri – USA
2008 First Prize Concerto Competition, Kingsville International Competition, Texas – USA
2008 First Prize Naftzger Auditions, University of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas – USA
2008 Alumni Scholarship, Sigma Alpha Iota Auditions, Kansas City, Missouri – USA
2007 Alumni Scholarship, Sigma Alpha Iota Auditions, Kansas City, Missouri – USA
2001 Third Prize & Special Prize „Jeunesses Musicales” – Romania
2000 First Prize & Great Prize „Remember Enescu” – Romania
Special Prize „Eugen Sarbu”
Special Prize „Ion Voicu”
1997 Second Prize „Remember Enescu” – Romania
1996 First Prize & „Rovere D’oro” Prize, San Bartolomeo – Italy
1995 First Prize & Great Prize, Citta di Stressa – Italy
1994 First Prize & Gold Medal, Citta di Stressa – Italy
Third Prize „Jeunesses Musicales”, Bucharest - Romania
NATIONAL COMPETITIONS IN ROMANIA
2004 First Prize „W.A Mozart” Trio Competition – Cluj-Napoca
2003 Second Prize „Mihail Jora” – Bucharest
2002 First Prize „Paul Constantinescu” – Ploesti
2002 Winner National Audition for Classical Eurovision – Germany
2001 First Prize „Olimpiada” – Bucharest
Special Prize „Eugen Barbu” – Bucharest
2000 Second Prize „Dumitru Motatu” – Ploesti
1999 First Prize „Olimpiada” – Arad
1998 „Covent Garden” Prize, „W.A Mozart” Trio Competition – Cluj-Napoca
1997 First Prize „Paul Constantinescu” – Ploesti
1996 First Prize „Olimpiada” – Bucharest
Special Prize „Eugen Barbu” – Bucharest
1995 First Prize & Special Prize „George Georgescu” – Tulcea
1994 First Prize „Primavara Artelor” – Bacau
1993 Third Prize "Strings Competition"– Bucharest
Third Prize "National Competition"– Brasov
1991 First Prize "Strings Competition"– Bucharest
Third Prize "Primavara Artelor" – Bacau
1989 First Prize "Strings Competition"– Bucharest
MUSIC FESTIVALS (SOLO PERFORMANCES)
2011 Beratzhausen Music Week, Beratzhausen, Germany
2007 IMAI International Music Academy Fryeburg, Maine, USA
2004 International Summer Academy Prag-Wien-Budapest, Austria
Shumsky Music Festival, Bucharest, Romania
Prometheus Music Festival, Bucharest, Romania
2003 Kyoto International Music Students Festival, Japan
2000 EXPO2000 Hanover, Germany
1999 „L’Octobre Musical de Carthage” Carthage, Tunis
1996 „Europa Wöchen” Wien, Austria
1994 „Katzendorf” International Music Festival, Romania
SELECTED RECORDINGS
2008 CD "From Bucharest to Kansas City"
A self-released album. It was reviewed as "a sort of musical travelogue, telling the story of Fatu's own life-journey" by the Independent of Kansas City. It contains works by: Tartini, Sarasate, Kodaly, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and Porumbescu.
2010 CD "New Beginnings", Tzigane Music Label
Joined by the Russian pianist and wife Victoria Fatu - Martirosyan, the album is featuring works by Debussy, Ravel, Bartok and Tchaikovsky.
CONCERTS WITH ORCHESTRA (SOLO PERFORMANCES)
October 2010 UMKC Orchestra, Kansas City Conducted by: Seung Yang
February 2009 Philharmonia of Kansas City Conducted by: Andres Franco
June 2008 Kansas City Chamber Orchestra Conducted by: Bruce Sorell
February 2008 Philharmonia of Kansas City Conducted by: Andres Franco
February 2007 Philharmonia of Kansas City Conducted by: Andres Franco
May 2006 Academica Symphony Orchestra Conducted by: Pedro Negresco
June 2005 Universitaria Symphony Orchestra Conducted by: Alex. Ganea
March 2005 Bucharest Symphony Orchesta Conducted by: Madalin Voicu
February 2004 Galati Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Ilie Ranghilof
January 2004 Bucharest Radio Chamber Orch. Conducted by: C. Brâncuşi
May 2001 Iasi Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Vlad Conta
May 2001 Galati Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Ilie Ranghilof
November 2000 Bucharest Radio Chamber Orch. Conducted by: Ludovic Bacs
October 1999 Iasi Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Vlad Conta
May 1999 Arad Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Vlad Conta
December 1998 Lyceum Strings Orchestra, Bucharest Conducted by: Petru Andriesei
May 1997 Botosani Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Florin Totan
November 1995 Bucharest Symphony Orchestra Conducted by: Florin Totan
December 1994 Ploesti Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by: Carol Litvin
ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE
2010 - 2011 UMKC Orchestra, Kansas City, MO
Assistant Concertmaster
2011 Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, Kansas City, MO
2009 Lawrence Chamber Orchestra, Lawrence, KS
2008 Saint Joseph Symphony Orchestra, Saint-Joseph, MO
Assistant Concertmaster
2006 - 2010 The Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City
2003 Kyoto International Music Students Festival Orchestra, Japan. Assistant Concertmaster
2002 - 2006 The National Music University of Bucharest Orchestra.
Concertmaster
OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2010 - 2011 1st Violin in the UMKC Graduate String Fellowship Quartet
2008 - 2009 Park University Students Trio together with Serafim Smigelskiy, cello and Behzod Abduraimov, piano
