Andrei Ionuț Ioniță – First Prize

Which people would you invite as guests to your dream dinner party?

I really wish I had the chance to talk to Shostakovich, who is probably my favourite composer of the 20th century. I would also like the company of the future great artists, whoever they will be, just to get a glimpse of what the future has in store for us. An artist's honest reflection upon reality is for me the most reliable, seeing as it's personal and thus convincing.

What is your favorite meal?

Well, besides my childhood favourite, pizza, I also enjoy a well-made curry dish!

Do you have a favorite motto or proverb that you live your life by?

Listen to your inner voice.

Which person or people inspire you the most?

I've always been inspired by my teachers, as well as my family who supported me all the way through my musical development.

If you were 80 years old, what advice would you give to young people today?

Never waste any opportunity to enjoy life, and never be afraid of making mistakes!

What would you like people to say about you?

That I am a good human being, nothing more.

How do you overcome the stage fright? / What is your ritual before going on stage?

I have somehow managed, in the last couple of years, to repress the stage fright. Now I just feel excited about performing and going on stage, which is where I feel at home.

When you perform... who are you playing for?

I am simply playing for the people who are listening, I am always trying to establish a connection between the music and the public through me. If I manage to touch people's hearts with my music, it's already enough for me.

What job would you least like to do?

I guess I wouldn't really like to be a broker, I find that to be very stressful.

Is there a joke about musicians that you would like to share with us?

I think the lives of most of the musicians are enough of a joke, we don't need to joke even further about it...

What's the "most played" non-classical track on your phone?

Probably "Pyramid Song" from Radiohead, it calms me down...

You are on a desert island and can bring only 3 items, what do you bring?

Probably my significant other, although not an item, would actually be more than enough. Otherwise, I guess a pen and a piece of paper, to document all my experiences and reflections upon life, as well as a surfboard.

What is your favorite noise/sound? What is the most annoying noise for you?

Favourite: waking up listening to the birds singing in the courtyard of my student dorm. Most annoying: bad cello playing.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Probably New York, although I like Berlin a lot, where I live at the moment. But somewhere out of this planet could also be an option in the further future.

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word Tchaikovsky?

Competition...

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word competition?

Opportunity!