News 27-9-2009 - Dutch concert tour After a long summer with concerts and masterclasses on a number of international music festivals, next October and November, Irina will be playing a series of concerts on ten of the most important podiums in The Netherlands. Special guests will be two magnificent Dutch musicians: flutist Felicia van den End and violist Emlyn Stam. For the concert dates, please check the agenda.
1-9-2009 - Release of second solo CD Irina's second solo CD is released, in the Laureates series of the Naxos-label. It was recorded in Newmarket, Canada, from April 23rd to 26th, 2009. Producers are Norbert Kraft and Bonnie Silver. The CD contains the following compositions:
Manuel Maria Ponce, Sonata III
Alexandre Tansman, Variations on a Theme of Scriabin
Manuel Maria Ponce, Sonatina meridional
Leo Brouwer, Variations sur un theme de Django Reinhardt
Antonio José, Sonata
For a first impression of the CD, please have a look at the video recordings made right after recording in the St John Chrysostom Church.
Manuel M. Ponce - Sonatina Meridional, 'Campo'
Antonio José - Sonata (1933), 'Finale'
31-10-2008 - Finale in 2010 of Vriendenkrans/ Het Debuut competition "Phenomenal performance. So many colours. Perfect technique. Concentrated. And mastering a varied repertoire." This was the beautiful report of the jury after the semi-finale of the Dutch competition ' Vriendenkrans/ Het Debuut'. Together with a violinist and a piano-duo, Irina was selected to participate in the finale that will be played in May 2010 in the 'Amsterdam Concertgebouw'. In 2009 the finalists play concerts on some of the most prestigious podia of The Netherlands.
27-09-2008 - First prize 'Classical Guitar Competition "Michele Pittaluga" In Alessandria, Italy, Irina was awarded the first prize of the 41st Classical Guitar Competition Michele Pittaluga. Michele Pittaluga - member of WFIMC - is widely considered the most prestigious competition for classical guitar. The first prize came with a concert tour in Italy and a contract to record a CD in Canada under the Naxos-label.
In the finale Irina played the Guitar Concerto N.1 in D mayor, op. 99 (1939), by Manuel Castelnuovo-Tedesco, together with the Orchestra del Conservatorio "Vivaldi", conducted by Paolo Ferrara. Please enjoy the 'Andantino alla romanza':
30-08-2008 - First prize 'Forum Gitarre Wien' Irina has been awarded the first prize on the international guitar competition of Forum Gitarre Wien, in Austria. Part of the prize is a concerttour in Europe. Irina also received a special invitation to the renowned Esztergom festival in Hungary.
04-08-2008 - First prize International Guitar Competition 'Iserlohn' Irina has been awarded the first prize on the international guitar competition of Iserlohn, in Germany. Some details can be found on the German news website Der Westen.
20-06-2008 - Graduation from Mozarteum University With a most successful exam concert, Irina graduated from the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. She obtained the academic degree 'Master of Arts' with honour.
04-05-2008 - First prize 'Scharpach' Guitar Competition On the 'Twents Guitar Festival in The Netherlands, Irina was the winner of the Scharpach Guitar Competition. To smoothen her way in Dutch society, she invested her prize... in a bicycle.
30-03-2008 - First prize 'Guitarra Alhambra' International Competition Irina was awarded the first prize on the international guitar competition 'Alhambra' in Valencia.
11-03-2008 - Exam concert in Salzburg In the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Irina played the first of her two exam concerts. Her performance was appreciated with the highest mark.
24-02-2008 - Live on Dutch radio The renowned Sunday-morning radio program 'Spiegelzaal' invited Irina Kulikova to give a short performance - live from the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Irina played two pieces from her CD. It was a most promising entourage for a first introduction to the Dutch classical audience.
