From the historic halls of Carnegie to the iconic studios of Hollywood, violinist Cristian Fatu weaves magic with his bow, painting musical landscapes that have captivated audiences across continents. Based in the sun-kissed shores of Los Angeles, this Romanian-born virtuoso now shares his artistry as a distinguished faculty member at the Orange County School for the Arts and Orange County Music and Dance. His versatility as a performer shines through whether he's performing as a soloist or stepping in with the Pacific Symphony, adding classical elegance to LA Ballet productions, or bringing film scores to life in the studio.
The gleaming lights of Hollywood's legendary recording studios – Capitol Records, Fox, and Warner Brothers – have witnessed his violin's voice blend with countless artists, breathing life into scores that enchant millions through film and television. His journey through America's musical landscape led him to the heart of West Virginia, where from 2014 to 2018, he led the celebrated Montclaire String Quartet as first violinist, while serving as concertmaster of the Charleston Chamber Orchestra and nurturing young talents at West Virginia State University.
A crowning moment in his artistic odyssey came in February 2019, when the hallowed walls of the Kennedy Center resonated with the premiere of Mathew Jackfert's Violin Concerto "A Black Bear Awakens in Winter" – a performance that showcased his ability to bring contemporary works to vivid life. His bow has danced under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Pink Martini, and his melodies have soared through the revered acoustics of Carnegie Hall with Ensemble Iberica.
His extraordinary talent has been recognized through more than 25 national and international competitions, with triumphs including the 2008 Kingsville International Competition and the "Remember Enescu" International Violin Competition in his native Romania. The German press, specifically the Murnauer Tagblatt, celebrated his "wonderful virtuosity as well as perfect technique" – praise that echoes through concert halls from New York to Kyoto, where his performances have left indelible impressions at prestigious festivals and venues.
Beyond the stage, Cristian's passion for his instrument leads him to explore its very soul as a member of the Violin Society of America Oberlin Acoustics Workshop, where he delves into the physics of string instruments alongside fellow artists, scientists, and craftsmen. He is also a regular guest at David Garrett’s Guarneri del Gesu Club meetings and concerts comprising of players and owners of these rare and fine Italian instruments. His musical lineage reads like a who's who of violin mastery, having studied under luminaries such as Gil Shaham, Stefan Gheorghiu, and Vladimir Spivakov, while earning his credentials from the National Music University of Bucharest, Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in Germany and Park University in the United States. He plays on a 2018 Samuel Zygmuntowicz violin and a 2019 Jordan Hess violin.
Perhaps his most cherished role, however, is that of a devoted father to three remarkable children: Mark, Vivienne, and Sophie. His youngest, Sophie, made history as the youngest contestant ever to grace NBC's America's Got Talent, where her renditions of Sinatra classics captured hearts nationwide – proving that in the Fatu family, musical talent flows through generations.
With a violin in his hands and love in his heart, Cristian Fatu continues to enchant, educate, and elevate the world of classical music, one masterful performance at a time – proving that world-class talent and down-to-earth charm can indeed go hand in hand.
