George Enescu

 

George Ensecu
1881-1955

Name your favorite composer hailing from the Eastern European country Romania. If you came up with one, it would probably be George Enescu. If you came up with more, it could be notorious conductor Sergiu Celibidache, who I believe dabbled in composing. My knowledge of the country and its music only extends to Enescu and Hungarian composer Béla Bartók's Transylvanian Dances.

George Enescu is probably most famous for his Romanian inspired works, particularly his two Romanian Rhapsodies, although there are more in that vein in the form of orchestral suites, symphonic poems, and the like.

While he dabbled in many genres as a composer, he was also a recognized performer and teacher, as well as being considered a child prodigy. As I read more about the composers I listen to, many were considered to be the equal of Mozart at a young age, like Saint-Saëns. As I understand it, similar to Mozart, Enescu's musical memory was so great, that we lost some of his compositions because they were floating around in his head to perform rather than sketched out for publication.

Enescu wrote a whole lot of music, but his Opus numbers are very low. From what I have read, he was enthusiastic in his output as a student, but more measured as a career composer. I suppose performing, traveling, and conducting may have limited his time.

The composer came to prominence again recently with a brand new recording of his main three symphonies, released no less on the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label. While that recording didn't receive many positive reviews, at least in comparison to similar programs on record, more attention on Enescu is always a good thing.

I will probably focus on his orchestral and concertante music rather than his solo pieces. I haven't heard much good news regarding Enescu's chamber music, so we will see if I cover it as well.

Recordings and reviews currently on hand
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(Green links are reviews yet to come)

Recordings
2000: Decet / Dixtuor
2000: String Quartets
2002: Octet & Quintet
2006: Vox Maris
2010: Piano Quartets
2014: Symphony 5 & Isis
2015: Symphony 4 & Chamber Symphony
2017: Symphonies
    •  Symphony 1 & Suite 3
    •  Symphony 2 & Rhapsody 2
    •  Symphony 3 & Rhapsody 1
2021: Violin Concerto & Piano Phantasy

Bits 'n Bobs

    •  Orchestral 1

    •  Orchestral 2

    •  Concertante