I had long thought about paying tribute to Roman Vlad; in January 2013 I had invited the Maestro at the Conservatorio of Benevento (where I teach) to let students have the chance to meet him in person: on that occasion his Divertimento per 11 esecutori was played within a concert in his honour. Meeting Vlad was a moment of great enthusiasm for all: his musical wisdom and his deep humanity won everyone. Naming the ensemble after him, and considering they had his debut on the evening organized by Nuova Consonanza and the Philharmonic, looked to me as the best way to keep his memory and music alive. The members of the Roman Vlad Ensemble are all soloists and first chairs of important Symphonic Institutes and Foundations in Italy.

Gabriele Bonolis