Violinist Radu Blidar to conduct charity concert in west London

Radu Blidar

There will be a rare chance to see French violinist Radu Blidar in west London this Friday, when he conducts the Royal College of Music Orchestra playing Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, at a special concert to raise funds for the Homeless during Poverty & Homeless Action Week 2011.

Blidar, who made his debut as a soloist at the age of twelve in Romania. His concert highlights include recitals and concerto appearances in New York (Lincoln Centre), London (Barbican Centre, Royal Festival Hall), Paris (Cité de la Musique, Maison de Radio France, Musée d'Orsay, Salle Gaveau, Théâtre du Châtelet), Salzburg (Mozarteum), as well as Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, South Africa, South Korea and Japan.

He was a prize winner at numerous international violin competitions in the Czech Republic, France, Spain, USA, Germany and Austria. Elected in 1993 young violinist of the year by the European Council and the Juventus Foundation, he was awarded in 1994 the Fondation de France prize, then in 1997 and in 1999 the Musique Française and Musique de Chambre honorary prizes.

Blidar has recorded works by Constant, Szymanowski, Janacek and Ravel for MFA, Salabert Harmonia Mundi and MMSG.

Many of his students have been laureates at international competitions and are also members of major orchestras.

Radu Blidar is president and artistic director of the Vibrarte International Music Competition, Paris.

The concert takes place on Friday, 4 February, at Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Road, Hammersmith W6 OUB. Doors open 7pm. The concert is at 7.30pm

There are no tickets, but a retiring collection will be taken in aid of The Upper Room charity for the homeless in West London: www.theupperroom.org.uk

On Sunday, 6th February, at 7.30pm, the West London Bach Players and Consort conducted by Sandy Burnett will be performing Bach's Mass in B Minor St Michael & All Angels Church, Chiswick, W4, in the presence of The Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham, Cllr Adronie Alford.