First prize winners of the Arriaga Chamber Music Competition in 2010, the Grneta Ensemble has been praised for “the strength and intelligence of [its] playing” (Lucid Culture). Clarinetists Vasko Dukovski and Ismail Lumanovski joined forces with pianist Alexandra Joan in 2008; a unique combination of instruments performing a varied repertoire. Sharing the same Eastern European roots, the trio members present engaging and unusual recital programs inspired by Balkan folk elements and improvisation. Their repertoire includes works from the Romantic era as well as original arrangements of traditional music from the Balkans. Committed to preserving and continuing the clarinet duo repertoire, the Grneta Ensemble has revived many neglected works as well as created arrangements for its unusual instrumentation. The ensemble has inspired and commissioned new works such as The Macedonian Bloody Wedding by Nicholas Csicsko as well as Grneta Variations by Gerald Cohen, heard on this recording.
 
Each of the members of the ensemble are Juilliard graduates, prize winners in international music competitions, and have been coached by Charles Neidich and Ayako Oshima at the Juilliard School.
 
Grneta Ensemble official site
Vasko Dukovski official site
Ismail Lumanovski official site
Alexandra Joan official site