George Enescu, also known internationally by his French name Georges Enesco, was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor, and teacher who is considered one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.
Early life
George Enescu was born on August 19, 1881, in the village of Liveni, near Dorohoi, in northeast Romania, into a musical family. His father, Costache Enescu, was an amateur violinist and his mother, Maria, played the piano.
Enescu showed exceptional musical talent from a very early age. At the age of four, he started to play the violin by imitating the folk music he heard in his village. His parents noticed his natural talent and decided to support his musical education. At the age of seven, Enescu was admitted to the Vienna Conservatory, where he studied with Joseph Hellmesberger Jr., Robert Fuchs, and Sigismund Bachrich. He was the youngest student ever admitted to this prestigious institution.
Career and adult life
In 1895, Enescu went to Paris to continue his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied violin with Martin Pierre Marsick, harmony with André Gedalge, and composition with Jules Massenet and Gabriel Fauré. During his time in Paris, he won many prizes and developed his compositional style.
Enescu made his debut as a composer in 1898 with his “Poème roumaine” Op. 1, which was performed at the Concerts Colonne. This work established his reputation as a composer and was a sign of his lifelong fascination with Romanian folk music, which would greatly influence his compositional style.
In 1903, Enescu made his debut as a conductor in a concert of his own compositions at the Concerts Colonne. His conducting career would eventually lead him to become one of the leading conductors of his time, leading orchestras in Bucharest, New York, Paris, and Berlin.
As a violinist, Enescu was considered one of the greatest of his generation. He was admired for his virtuosity and his deep, nuanced interpretations. He had an extensive international performing career and worked with many of the leading musicians of his time, including violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler, pianist Alfred Cortot, and cellist Pablo Casals.
In addition to his work as a composer, conductor, and performer, Enescu was also a highly respected teacher. One of his most famous pupils was the renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who once said of his teacher: “Enescu is the most extraordinary human being, the greatest musician, and the most generous man I have ever known.”
Later life and legacy
In 1935, Enescu was elected a titular member of the Romanian Academy. During the Second World War, he remained in Romania and composed his opera “Oedipe,” considered by many to be his masterpiece. The premiere of “Oedipe” took place in Paris in 1936.
In the later part of his life, Enescu spent more time in France due to the communist regime in Romania. He became a French citizen in 1955. He died in Paris on May 4, 1955, and was interred at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Enescu left a rich musical legacy that includes symphonies, chamber music, a symphonic suite, operas, choral music, and many works for solo instruments. His works are celebrated for their lyricism, their complex harmonic language, and their deep integration of elements of Romanian folk music.
Among Enescu’s most popular and frequently performed works are his two Romanian Rhapsodies and his Sonata No. 3 for violin and piano. His music continues to be performed and recorded by many of the world’s leading musicians, and he is remembered as a major figure in the history of music.
In his native Romania, George Enescu’s legacy is particularly cherished. The George Enescu Festival, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in Eastern Europe, is held in Bucharest every two years in his honor. His home in Bucharest has been preserved as the George Enescu Museum, which hosts a collection of his manuscripts, personal belongings, and works of art.
George Enescu (1881 – 1955)
George Enescu, also known internationally by his French name Georges Enesco, was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor, and teacher who is considered one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.
Early life
George Enescu was born on August 19, 1881, in the village of Liveni, near Dorohoi, in northeast Romania, into a musical family. His father, Costache Enescu, was an amateur violinist and his mother, Maria, played the piano.
Enescu showed exceptional musical talent from a very early age. At the age of four, he started to play the violin by imitating the folk music he heard in his village. His parents noticed his natural talent and decided to support his musical education. At the age of seven, Enescu was admitted to the Vienna Conservatory, where he studied with Joseph Hellmesberger Jr., Robert Fuchs, and Sigismund Bachrich. He was the youngest student ever admitted to this prestigious institution.
Career and adult life
In 1895, Enescu went to Paris to continue his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied violin with Martin Pierre Marsick, harmony with André Gedalge, and composition with Jules Massenet and Gabriel Fauré. During his time in Paris, he won many prizes and developed his compositional style.
Enescu made his debut as a composer in 1898 with his “Poème roumaine” Op. 1, which was performed at the Concerts Colonne. This work established his reputation as a composer and was a sign of his lifelong fascination with Romanian folk music, which would greatly influence his compositional style.
In 1903, Enescu made his debut as a conductor in a concert of his own compositions at the Concerts Colonne. His conducting career would eventually lead him to become one of the leading conductors of his time, leading orchestras in Bucharest, New York, Paris, and Berlin.
As a violinist, Enescu was considered one of the greatest of his generation. He was admired for his virtuosity and his deep, nuanced interpretations. He had an extensive international performing career and worked with many of the leading musicians of his time, including violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler, pianist Alfred Cortot, and cellist Pablo Casals.
In addition to his work as a composer, conductor, and performer, Enescu was also a highly respected teacher. One of his most famous pupils was the renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin, who once said of his teacher: “Enescu is the most extraordinary human being, the greatest musician, and the most generous man I have ever known.”
Later life and legacy
In 1935, Enescu was elected a titular member of the Romanian Academy. During the Second World War, he remained in Romania and composed his opera “Oedipe,” considered by many to be his masterpiece. The premiere of “Oedipe” took place in Paris in 1936.
In the later part of his life, Enescu spent more time in France due to the communist regime in Romania. He became a French citizen in 1955. He died in Paris on May 4, 1955, and was interred at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Enescu left a rich musical legacy that includes symphonies, chamber music, a symphonic suite, operas, choral music, and many works for solo instruments. His works are celebrated for their lyricism, their complex harmonic language, and their deep integration of elements of Romanian folk music.
Among Enescu’s most popular and frequently performed works are his two Romanian Rhapsodies and his Sonata No. 3 for violin and piano. His music continues to be performed and recorded by many of the world’s leading musicians, and he is remembered as a major figure in the history of music.
In his native Romania, George Enescu’s legacy is particularly cherished. The George Enescu Festival, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in Eastern Europe, is held in Bucharest every two years in his honor. His home in Bucharest has been preserved as the George Enescu Museum, which hosts a collection of his manuscripts, personal belongings, and works of art.
Discography
L’esprit du temps
Anastasia Feruleva
Frank van de Laar