The renowned Romanian musician George Enescu was equally remarkable as a violinist, composer, conductor, pianist and violin teacher. He is best known for bringing the sound of the Romanian traditional folk songs into classical music.

By Alexandra Fodor

George Enescu was born in 1881, in the village of Liveni, in Northeastern Romania. Influenced by the folk music of his region, he began composing at the age of five. In 1888, his parents enrolled him in the Vienna Music Conservatory where he studied alongside Maurice Ravel and Jean Roger-Ducasse. He quickly becomes famous, interpreting Brahms, Saraste and Vieuxtemps compositions, all these when he was only 12 years old. After graduating in 1893, he moved to Paris where he continued his studies at the Music Conservatory in Paris.

His debut as a composer took place on February 6, 1898, at the Colonne Concerts Orchestra, in Paris, with the musical work Poema Romana (Romanian Poem).

Many of Enescu’s works were influenced by Romanian folk music such as Ciocarlia (The skylark) or Perinita (Little Pillow). His most popular compositions were the two Romanian Rhapsodies (1901–1902), the opera Oedip (1921-1931) and a symphonic poem Vox maris. He also wrote 5 symphonies, 3 orchestral suites, 2 piano quintets and quartets, 2 string quartets and piano trios, 3 suites for piano.