George Enescu
The Romanian composer, conductor, pianist, teacher and violinist George Enescu was born 19 August 1881 in Moldavia at a place which now bears his name. He studied (from age 7) in Vienna and then Paris (under Massenet and Fauré) and quickly achieved success with works such as the two Romanian Rhapsodies. As a violinist he achieved fame for his performances of Bach and contemporary music. His pupils included Yehudi Menuhin and Arthur Grumiaux. Enescu died in Paris on 4 May 1955.
A selection of articles about George Enescu
Spreading Light and Making Darkness Vanish - Luiza Catrinel Marinescu remembers her classmate, the Romanian pianist Eugen Alcalay and explores the pianist's mother's book 'Rhapsody in black and white with Leonard Bernstein'
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CD Spotlight. A Pianist who Deserves Attention - Geoff Pearce enjoys listening to Can Çakmur. '... a stellar performance by this fine young pianist.'
CD Spotlight. Unjustly Neglected - Geoff Pearce listens to Enescu chamber music. '... a very fine recording ...'
CD Spotlight. New Facets of Vital Importance - Little-known music by George Enescu, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Passionate and exciting performances complement an invaluable addition to the Enescu discography.'
Classical music news. Obituary - Ivry Gitlis (1922-2020)
Ensemble. Myths and Modernity - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his first report from the 2019 Salzburg Festival
Ensemble. Deceptively Undemonstrative - Mike Wheeler listens to Canadian/Romanian pianist Teo Gheorghiu
Ensemble. Most Impressive - Mozart, Enescu, Stravinsky and Brahms from Savitri Grier and Richard Uttley, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Les Dissonances - Giuseppe Pennisi reports from Bucharest
CD Spotlight. Bravo - Challenging music for violin and piano, recommended by Geoff Pearce. 'This recording is up there with the best of them.'
Ensemble. Orchestral Showpieces - Cristian Mandeal conducts the Hallé Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Approachable Pieces - Enescu and Bartók, heard by Robert Anderson. 'Laura Buruiana triumphs in what is ultimately an exacting work.'
Ensemble. Trends and Tendencies - Contemporary music at the Enescu Festival, discussed by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. Gutsy Performances - Enescu cello sonatas, heard by Howard Smith. '... perfectly rounded and the intonation irreproachable.'
CD Spotlight. Tip Top Music - Tine Thing Helseth and Kathryn Stott, heard by Howard Smith. 'Ever full of daring ...'
CD Spotlight. Dazzling Tracks - Dinu Lipatti, heard by Joanne Chang. '... skillfully and brilliantly carried out.'
CD Spotlight. Late Romanticism - Trio Brancusi plays Enescu, welcomed by Bill Newman. 'The performances are all first rate ...'
Uncommon Joy - Florian Mitrea at London's St Martin-in-the-Fields, heard by Malcolm Troup
Ensemble. Music and the Pride of a Nation - Giuseppe Pennisi takes a glimpse at the Enescu Festival's Jubilee programme
Ensemble. Unmissable Talents - An array of artists at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Bill Newman
Ensemble. A Remarkable Event - Paul Sarcich visits the West Cork Chamber Music Festival
Record Box. Richness of Colour - Stokowski conducts Wagner, Enescu, Debussy and Stravinsky, enjoyed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. Restrained Passion - Valeriy Sokolov and Eric Ferrand-N'Kaoua play Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Enescu and Prokofiev, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Primal Energy - Barenboim and the Vienna Philharmonic play Bartók, Kodály, Enescu and Ligeti
CD Spotlight. Undivided Artistry - Remus Azoitei plays Enescu, reviewed by Howard Smith. '... a truly commanding performance.'
Ensemble. Breathtaking Pianism - Malcolm Miller was at Ian Hobson's Wigmore Hall piano recital
Ensemble. A tropical farewell - Malcolm Tattersall sends a final report from the Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Provocative thoughts, from Patric Standford - All-round musical greatness
CD Spotlight. Creative legacy - Luiza Borac plays Enescu, appreciated by Patric Standford. '... a worthy ambassador for a genius ...'