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George Georgescu

'George Enescu, Inregistrari Istorice'

Musicians:
Orchestra simfonica a Filarmonicii "George Enescu"
Director - George Georgescu

Label - Electrecord, Romania

From sleeve notes:
"George Georgescu's recordings date back to the end of the 50's. They stand proof to this day for the great skills deployed by the conductor in order to highlight the meanings of the musical pieces he offered the public...

The present CD brings together two of the greatest personalities of Romanian music. Two outstanding personalities, who had a perfect friendship - to the benefit of our culture. I was fortunate enough to see them in the concert halls of Bucharest: George Enescu between 1941 and 1946, when he left the country for good, and George Georgescu between 1942 and 1964, the year of his dramatic departure from this life...

George Georgescu's career looked very much like a fairy tale in which the hero was doomed to be put to more and more difficult trials, which he overcame successfully, every time conquering new heights. Though a virtuoso cello-player, he had, after suffering an accident that stopped his calling as an instrumentalist, the lucidity and courage to reconvert his great musical gifts into a brilliant conductor's technique. At 31, he began a glorious career under the careful guidance of great Arthur Nikisch, at the Berliner Philharmonie. He became quickly known in Germany and when he came to Romania, two years later, his performance was considered simply amazing. He arrived at the beginning of 1920 for two concerts, but he practically conducted during the whole season. The call of his homeland was irresistible, so he decided to stay.

The most remarkable fact in George Georgescu's relation with the Bucharest Philarmonia was that the orchestra revived around its conductor. Decisive was the support - financial as well, quick understanding and urge on the part of the royal family, that allowed him to leave for Vienna, where he selected the musicians who were going to be, for a long time after that, the most outstanding members of the orchestra. This way, an impressive collective was formed of almost 100 people who worked with him for the years to come, and so he succeeded in building a symphonic orchestra of European value.

The role of the musician in the cultural life of his country was immense. He familiarized the large public with an impressive classical- romantic repertoire, he made known many famous contemporary composers, and he most effectively supported Romanian music. Out of his huge repertoire of over 500 works, more than 100 were Romanian titles, and the conductor consistently promoted this music

The Rhapsodies, op.11 (1901 ) I do not know how much introduction these compositions really need after their being interpreted on stages all over the world, and having dozens of discographic versions They are, as noticed, quite different between themselves but complementary: the first A major) is deeply rooted into fiddlers' dance music. while the second (D major) is more calm and intimate, inspired by lyric songs and ballads more or less based on folklore. That the barely 20 years old young man was an outstanding orchestra arranger was obvious from his first works. In 1901 he was far from being a debutant in composing or orchestrating. The Rhapsodies were preceded by Poema Romana (Romanian Poem) op.1 and even by the Symphonie concertante, op.8. Before that he had written four school-symphonies (1894-1898) and various other orchestra compositions, meaning thousands of music pages The young author was in fact a highly experienced composer.

Symphony No.1 (1905) is to this day the most often played. From its first performance in January 1906 in Paris, under the baton of Eduard Colonne, tens of artists conducted that score over and over again, unveiling all its beauties. Enough foreign and practically all Romanian ones. I could only name here some of those whom I have personally watched: George Georgescu, lonel Perlea, Constantin Silvestri, Theodor Rogalski. Alfred Alessandrescu, Mihail Jora, Mihai Brediceanu, Iosif Conta, Ion Baciu, Horia Andreescu, Cristian Mandeal. They are not even by far the only ones, not to mention George Enescu himself whom I could watch at least twice conducting his own work, which he loved dearly. He had all the reasons, because this music irradiates an unparalleled charm and zest for life."
Pascal Bentoiu

USD 14.99

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George Georgescu

'George Enescu, Inregistrari Istorice'