Recognised internationally as a virtuoso violinist and composer, romanian born Alexander Balanescu made his debut at the age of nine. He finished his studies at Julliard school, New York, his main teachers having been Dolly Korizer and Dorothy Delay.
He was a member of the Arditti Quartett from 1983 to 1987, playing the contemporary classical repertoire. In 1987 he formed the Balanescu Quartet, with the goal to create a much more accessible and communicative new music.
He gained an enviable reputation as a truly interdisciplinary artist, composer, improviser as well as a performer. He has collaborated with musicians form Jack de Johnette, John Surman, Andy Shepherd, and Carla Bley. His work has also taken him to the pop world, supporting the Pet Shop Boys and recording the music of David Byrne, Kraftwerk, the Yellow Magic Orchestra and collaborating with To Rococo rot on their latest album. In his quest to reconnect with his eastern European roots, recent projects include collaborations with the Hungarian group, Muzsikás, and singer Marta Sebestyen. He has tried to create a synthesis between different fields of music, and, as a composer, to reach a wider audience for new music, especially through his work with film, theatre and dance.