George Enescu
George Enescu (known in France as Georges Enesco) (August 19 1881, Liveni - May 4 1955, Paris) was a Romanian violinist and composer.
He was born in the village of Liveni, Romania, and showed musical talent from early in his childhood. At the age of seven, he began studying violin at the Vienna Conservatoire, graduating before his 13th birthday, and then going on to continue his studies at the Paris Conservatoire (1895-1899).
Many of Enescu's works were influenced by Romanian folk music, his most popular compositions being the Romanian Rhapsodies, the opera Oedipe (1936). He also wrote five symphonies and much chamber music.
In 1923 he made his debut as a conductor in a concert given by the Philadelphia Orchestra in New York. He also conducted the New York Philharmonic between 1937 and 1938.
He lived in Paris and in Romania, but after WWII and the communist occupation of Romania, he remained in Paris.
He was also a noted violin teacher. Yehudi Menuhin, Christian Ferras and Arthur Grumiaux were amongst his pupils.
The symphony orchestra of Bucharest is named in his honor; that city also houses a museum in his memory.
See also: List of famous conductors, List of 20th century classical composers
External links
- International Festival and Competition "George Enescu" (http://www.festivalenescu.ro/)
- A page on the closely linked lives of Enescu and Chailley (http://www.baroquemusic.org/chailleyenesco.html)
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