Meet Alina Abel
A journey of passion, dedication, and musical excellence.
🎼 The First Notes
Born in 1971 in Pitești, Romania, Alina Abel came into the world at a time when her homeland was caught between the grip of ideology and the enduring spirit of its artistic traditions. At the age of six, the violin became her lifelong companion—both a discipline and a devotion, a means of shaping her identity against the formlessness that modernity often imposes.
🎓 Mastering the Craft
Her formal education began at the Music High School and later continued at the prestigious “Gheorghe Dima” Music Academy in Cluj-Napoca—a bastion of Transylvanian musical excellence, where rigor and beauty were recognized as inseparable. Here, she distinguished herself by winning second prize at the Gheorghe Dima quartet competition as the first violin of the “Academica” Quartet—a testament not only to her technical mastery but also to her deep understanding of ensemble interpretation and the necessity of order in harmony.
Her artistic journey was shaped from an early age by remarkable mentors. During her primary and middle school years (1978–1984), she studied under Professor Viorel Soltan in Deva. Between 1984 and 1990, her talent continued to develop under the guidance of Professor Ioan Cotuțiu in Cluj, and later with Professor Casius Barbu at the university level (1990–1995). Each teacher contributed to the refinement of a violinist who would go on to earn national and international acclaim.
Between 1988 and 1996, she performed as a soloist, appearing alongside the orchestras of the Music High School and the Cluj-Napoca State Philharmonic. Her talent was recognized early on when, in 1989, she received an award from the Romanian Composers’ Union, an honor that affirmed not just her instrumental mastery but also her ability to give voice to the living traditions of her nation’s musical soul.
She further honed her artistry through masterclasses with C-tin Șerban (France), the “Voces” Quartet, and had the honour of being mentored by the legendary violin professor Ștefan Gheorghiu. A key figure in her musical development and career was her uncle, the late Dumitru Fărcaș—a luthier from Cluj-Napoca—who offered unwavering moral and artistic support as both mentor and patron.
Today, she has the rare privilege of performing on a “Janarius Gagliano 1750” violin, generously provided by SWR (the Southwest German Broadcasting Corporation)—an instrument whose depth of tone and historical legacy resonate perfectly with the refinement and sensitivity of her interpretation.
🏆 A Symphony of Success
In 1992, she took on the role of concertmaster at the first Bach International Academy in Cluj-Napoca—an appointment that reflected not only her technical brilliance but also her leadership abilities, embodying the aristocratic virtue of responsibility without arrogance.
From 1992 to 1995, she was a member of the Transylvania State Philharmonic, further solidifying her reputation as a distinguished chamber musician. She performed as first violin of the “Academica” Quartet in numerous chamber recitals while also serving as concertmaster and soloist at the International Summer Academy in Schloss Pommersfelden, Germany.
Her pursuit of refinement led her to Stuttgart, where between 1995 and 1997, she undertook advanced artistic studies under Wilhelm Melcher, the esteemed primarius of the renowned Melos Quartet. She further honed her artistry through masterclasses with c-tin Serban (france), the “Voces” Quartet, and had the honour of being mentored by the legendary violin professor Stefan Gheorghiu
Since 1997, she has been a member of the SWR Stuttgart Radio Symphony, a role that allowed her to become part of one of Germany’s leading musical institutions. In 2016, following the orchestra’s merger with the Baden-Baden and Freiburg Symphony Orchestra, she continued her journey with the newly formed SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg, a testament to her enduring presence in the world of high culture—where discipline, intellect, and beauty still hold their rightful place.
🎶 Artistic Vision & Repertoire
Alina Abel’s musical universe spans solo performances, chamber music, and symphonic works, covering a vast stylistic range.
🎻 Solo & Chamber Repertoire:
Baroque: J.S. Bach – Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin
Violin & Piano Sonatas: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, C. Franck, Enescu, Shostakovich, Hindemith
Solo & Accompanied Works: Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Ysaÿe (Sonata No. 3 for solo violin), Wieniawski, Kreisler
🎼 Chamber Music:
Piano Trios: Brahms, Dvořák, Frank Martin
String Trios: Kodály
Clarinet Trios: Aram Khachaturian
String Quartets: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Shostakovich, Britten, Bentoiu
String Octets: Mendelssohn, Enescu
🎼 Symphonic Repertoire:
Her orchestral experience includes an extensive repertoire spanning from Rameau, Haydn, and Mozart to the great Romantics—Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Wagner—as well as 20th-century composers such as Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Alban Berg (Viennese School), Bartók, Ligeti, and contemporary composers.
🌍 Sharing the Stage
Her participation in the SWR Symphonieorchester since 1997 has given her the privilege of working with some of the world’s most renowned conductors, including Georges Prêtre, Sir Roger Norrington, Herbert Blomstedt, Gustavo Dudamel, and Teodor Currentzis, and performing alongside celebrated soloists such as:
🎻 Anne-Sophie Mutter, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Hilary Hahn, Julia Fischer, Ray Chen, Sergey Khachatryan, Patricia Kopatchinskaja
🎹 Fazıl Say, Radu Lupu, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Leif Ove Andsnes, Anna Vinnitskaya, Alexandre Kantorow
She has had the honor of performing in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including:
Royal Albert Hall (London)
Musikverein (Vienna)
Festspielhaus (Salzburg & Baden-Baden)
Suntory Hall (Tokyo)
Auditorio Nacional de Música (Madrid)
Berlin, Cologne, and Essen Philharmonics
Konzerthaus (Vienna, Freiburg, Dortmund)\
And many more in Munich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Barcelona, and Valencia.
🎶 Experience the Music
Alina Abel’s journey is one of unwavering dedication, passion, and artistic excellence. Follow her on social media, explore her upcoming performances, or book a private event to experience the magic of her music firsthand.