Cavatina Duo

Saturday, March 13, 2027
7:30 pm
Sundin Music Hall
1531 Hewitt Avenue, St Paul

The Cavatina Duo, comprised of Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner and Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagić, is widely recognized as one of the world’s foremost flute and guitar duos. Celebrated for their virtuosity, expressive depth, and profound musical rapport, their performances have captivated audiences across the globe and garnered accolades from leading music critics.

Their artistry has been praised by Gramophone magazine, which wrote: “Moliner is a flautist of tonal purity and dexterity who brings consummate taste to every phrase in tandem with Azabagić’s glistening guitar… the interpretation finds the duo at the height of their musical powers.” In another review, Gramophone noted, “Eugenia Moliner casts a shimmering spell… her lines dancing with a youthful innocence over Denis Azabagić’s gently pulsing chords. The result is effortlessly beguiling.”

Eugenia Moliner has been described by Flute Talk as “an artist of the highest caliber.” She has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the Lanyang Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, and Camerata Serbica, and has collaborated with internationally renowned musicians and ensembles such as Stefan Ragnar Höskuldsson, Mathieu Dufour, the Avalon and Pacifica Quartets, and the Aspen Trio. Her discography includes 13 albums, most recently Song to the Moon, a piano collaboration featuring works by Mahler, Schubert, and Medtner.

Denis Azabagić is considered one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of his generation. Winner of 24 international competitions, he has appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Madrid Symphony Orchestra, Cuarteto Casals, and the Avalon and Pacifica Quartets, among others. Soundboard praised his “flawless technique and profound musical insight.” His extensive discography includes 17 CDs and two DVDs, and his book on performance anxiety has become an essential resource for musicians.

The Cavatina Duo has made a significant contribution to the development of the flute and guitar repertoire by commissioning nearly 30 new works from leading contemporary composers. Their recordings reflect this commitment to innovation and include Sephardic Journey (with the Avalon Quartet, Cedille Records, 2016), Folias and Fantasias (Alan Thomas’s reimagining of Telemann’s 12 Fantasias, Bridge Records, 2020), and their most recent release, River of Fire (Cedille Records, March 2025), a collaboration with the two-time GRAMMY-winning Pacifica Quartet. This album, inspired by the music and legacy of the Romani diaspora, has been met with critical acclaim for its blending of cultural traditions and poignant storytelling.

The duo has also recorded two albums with Acis Productions: Wings (2024), featuring the chamber music of composer Rami Levin, and Silk Apples (2025), an eclectic program exploring cultural intersections through newly commissioned works.

They have been featured in cover stories and interviews in Ritmo, Scherzo, and Chamber Music America magazines.

Beyond the stage, Eugenia and Denis serve as faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago and as artistic directors of the Juan Gual Esteve Festival in Spain and the Chicago Guitar Festival. They are regularly invited to give masterclasses at universities and festivals worldwide, sharing their expertise with the next generation of musicians.