Enescu Discovery

In our series of ‘discoveries’ we focus the spotlight on George Enescu (1881-1955). A giant of the first half of the 20th century, he deserves to be more widely known. The composer Enescu was overshadowed by his success as a performer. He was famous as a brilliant violinist and pianist, and was also a highly respected violin teacher. Yehudi Menuhin, one of his most famous students, continued to appreciate him all his life. Enescu’s compositions rarely make it to the concert stage. His style does not fit into any particular school or movement. Indeed, his originality lies precisely in the unique synthesis of all sorts of influences that came his way. As a child prodigy, Enescu studied in Vienna, where Brahms became one of his heroes. When he was in his teens, he attended the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under Massenet and Fauré. Gradually, Enescu developed his own idiom, which combines classical forms and late romantic harmonies with sophisticated timbres, imbued with Romanian rhythms and melodies.

2 pm Blue Hall

Oliver Triendl piano & members of Quatuor Enesco

Giani Lincan cimbalom Karel Boeschoten violin

Aurel Budisteanu accordion Zsolt Boni double bass

George Enescu

Violin Sonata No. 3 in A minor, ‘Dans le caractère populaire roumain’ Opus 25

Piano Quartet No. 2 in D minor, Opus 30

Alternated with Romanian folk music

4 pm Theater Studio

Talk. Portrait of the composer by David Vergauwen

5.15 pm Blue Hall

Quatuor Danel & Oliver Triendl piano

George Enescu

String Quartet No. 2 in G major, Opus 22 No. 2 

Piano Quintet, Opus 29  

6.30 pm Grand Café

Giani Lincan cimbalom Karel Boeschoten violin

Aurel Budisteanu accordion Zsolt Boni double bass

Romanian folk music

8 pm Blue Hall

Quatuor Danel & Quatuor Enesco

Terra Nova Collective conducted by Vlad Weverbergh clarinet

George Enescu

Dixtuor in D major, for wind instruments, Opus 14

Octet for strings in C major, Opus 7

Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A major, Opus 11 No. 1