Iancu Dumitrescu (born 1944) is one of the leading personalities of contemporary music, embracing both composition and interpretation. He studied with Sergiu Celibidache musical phenomenology and conducting.

His compositions are based on ultraspectralism and acousmatics from a phenomenological point of view, in which sound is subject to analysis and dissociation, processes which confer a genuine force of suggestion and penetration. His music is edited by Editions Salabert (Paris), Escargot-CBS (Paris), ReR Megacorp (London), Gerig Musikverlage (Koln), Generation Unlimited (New York) etc. Major works: "Alternations", "Movemur et Sumus", "Medium III", "Perspectives au Movemur", "Apogeum", "Aulodie Mioritica", "Reliefs", "Cinq Implosions", "Ursa Major", "Cogito / Trompe l"Oeil", "Mythos", "A Priori", "Zenith", "Harryphonies", "Astrée lointaine", "Soleil explosant", "Oiseaux celestes", "Colossus", "Bolids and contemplations", "Objet sonore mysterieux" ...

He has been commissioned by, among others, "Radio France", "Art ZOYD", the "Kronos Quartet and the French Ministry of Culture, Musiques Nouvelles, London Sinfonietta, etc...

He is considered to be one of the most important contributors to the Spectral Music trend.

Press fragments :

*... " The music of Iancu DUMITRESCU explores the ultimate sense of sound guiding the listener through new spheres of sonic adventure, a kind of cryptical music. Based on the idea of "acousmatique" a socratic term meaning the intimate exploratioon of sonic phenomenon, his music takes its formal models from the very structure of sound, with a perfect relationship between micro - and macro-structure, this phenomenological approach to the act of composing implies at the same time a very good confidence in the intuitive dimention of discovery. The young generation of romanian composers headed by Iancu Dumitrescu ave a unique position through their development of the "spectral sound" music, using almost only acousmatical instruments. Dumitrescu and his colleague Horatio Radulescu have awaked new attention to this until now almost unknown Romanian music. Similar tendences are to be found in the music of the Italan composers - Giacinto Scelsi, Mario Bertoncini and the late Francesco Evangelisti ( Gruppo di Improvizazione Nuova Consonanza), also in the music of the late Greec composer, Jani Christou..."
Robert ZANK "Edition RZ", 1988, Berlin

*" IANCU DUMITRESCU. In the realms of the avant-garde ( red: serious, weird and innovative clasical music ) the countries of Eastern Europe have been notorious as burgeoners of the most experimental and creative talents. Probably best known of all is György Ligeti, along with innumerable other Hungarian and Czechoslovakian talents in the realms of electronic music.

The composer under discussion here however, hails from Romania and is the creator of some of the most radical and inventive music.

Born in 1944, it"s obvious that the political and social climate in Romania had profound influence on his perception of music, and later after studies with one Sergiu Celibidache, he began to experiment with aesthetics of sound creation, manipulation, and harmonic mutilation. In 1976 he formed the HYPERION ENSEMBLE to realise his works(...) .

These early orchestrated works are quite reminiscent of Ligeti"s similar dissonant ensemble pieces, often sounding as electronic as orchestral. Intriguing, but only hinting at the radical work to come.

A major step forward in his realisation of truly bombastic sonic disintegration was realised by the co-operation of the experimental bassist Fernando Grillo ( also known for an album on the Cramps label ), who seems capable of coaxing the most impossible sounds out of his instrument. The work Cogito / Trompe l"Oeil is an excellent example of this in a more atmospheric Stockhausen - like manner, whereas MEDIUM III features same of the most awesome brain-numbing sonic effects I"ve heard. Many of the works from this era came to light via releases on the German Edition RZ label , revealing to the world a sonic creator of unique talent.

As a creator of radical music that breaks convention, riding on the edge of the classical avant-garde onto realms more closely associated with the likes of Nurse With Wound or The Halfer Trio, IANCU DUMITRESCU has the talent to lure you in, mystify and startle with unnerving furiousity..."
Alan FREEMAN "AUDION" , Leicester March 1993