The Icon Arts Quartet
The ICON ARTS QUARTET is a Romanian-Irish ensemble formed especially for the Irish edition of the ICon Arts Academy, comprising Cristina Tegzeșiu (oboe), Andreea Banciu (viola), Adrian Mantu (cello) and Aileen Cahill (piano).
CRISTINA TEGZEȘIU is a Romanian oboist trained at the National University of Music Bucharest, the Musik Akademie der Stadt Basel (Master of Arts in Musical Performance, class of Prof. Emanuel Abbühl), and the Hochschule der Künste Bern (Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy, class of Prof. Matthias Arter). Her artistic development has been further shaped through masterclasses with distinguished oboists such as Heinz Holliger, Maurice Bourgue, Christian Schmitt, David Walter, Diego Dini Ciacci and Bart Schneemann.
Between 2009 and 2017, she collaborated extensively with leading Swiss orchestras and ensembles, including Camerata Bern, Philharmonisches Orchester Basel, Aargauer Symphonie Orchester, Collegium Musicum Basel and Mulhouse Symphony Orchestra. She has also collaborated with the Oleg Danovski National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Constanța and is currently Principal Oboe of the Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra. Cristina Tegzesiu’s activity includes performances recorded and broadcast by Radio România, as well as international releases with Camerata Bern and the La Follia ensemble, including Mendelssohn chamber repertoire and Haydn’s Creation (live broadcast on Mezzo TV). She performs on a Marigaux M2 instrument.
ANDREEA BANCIU is a prominent Romanian-Irish violist, co-founder of the internationally recognised ConTempo Quartet, Galway’s Ensemble in Residence since 2003, and a lecturer in viola at the TU Dublin Conservatoire and the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
With an extensive chamber music career, she has performed in major European venues and festivals, collaborating with distinguished artists and ensembles. Her artistic profile is defined by refined musicianship, stylistic versatility and a strong commitment to contemporary repertoire and collaborative projects.
In recognition of their immense cultural contribution, Andreea and her colleagues from Contempo quartet were conferred as Doctors in Music, Honoris Causa, by NUI Galway, and in January 2022 were awarded the Romanian Order of Cultural Merit, Knight rank, by the President of Romania.
Pianist AILEEN CAHILL is an Irish pianist with a distinguished career as a collaborative artist, chamber musician and répétiteur. She has performed widely across Ireland and internationally, working with leading instrumentalists and singers in recital, chamber music and vocal repertoire.
A graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the TU Dublin Conservatoire, she is recognised for her stylistic sensitivity and depth of interpretation, particularly in vocal and chamber repertoire. Her artistic work frequently bridges Irish and international cultural contexts, contributing to projects that foster cross-cultural dialogue through music.
In addition to her concert activity, she has taught at TU Dublin and Maynooth University, and is currently Researcher-in-Residence at the Contemporary Music Centre (CMC), where she contributes to the production of the Amplify podcast series, supporting contemporary Irish music and composers.
ADRIAN MANTU is a Romanian–Irish cellist who graduated from the National University of Music Bucharest and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He is a founding member of the ConTempo Quartet, Galway’s Ensemble in Residence since 2003. He has performed in some of the world’s most renowned venues, including Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, Berliner Philharmonie, and the Romanian Athenaeum, establishing a distinguished international career as both soloist and chamber musician.
Alongside his performing activity, he is deeply involved in pedagogical and artistic initiatives in Ireland and abroad, contributing to festivals, academies and cross-border cultural collaborations. His performances are noted for their lyrical intensity and architectural clarity.
In recognition of their outstanding cultural contribution, Adrian and his colleagues in the ConTempo Quartet were conferred the Degree of Doctor of Music (honoris causa) by the National University of Ireland, Galway, and in January 2022 were awarded the Romanian Order of Cultural Merit, Knight rank, by the President of Romania.