Six cities and five countries – Germany, Belgium, Italy, Canada and Moldova – will host related events of the “George Enescu” International Festival, thus honouring the extraordinary musical heritage of the great Romanian composer.
The 2019 edition becomes the largest and richest one in the history of the event: some of the most renowned orchestras of the world and top artists, Romanians and foreigners alike, will present to the audiences of Florence (Italy), Berlin and Dresden (Germany), Liège (Belgium), Toronto (Canada), and Kishinev (Moldova) essential compositions by George Enescu or concerts dedicated to our great composer, at the same time with the performances taking place in Bucharest between 31 August and 22 September, and alongside the concerts scheduled in ten other cities in the country.
George Enescu’s Symphony No. 3 in C major, Op. 21, one of the most important works of the Romanian composer, his message to mankind at the end of the tragedy of World War I and “one of the most difficult symphonies for orchestra in the entire repertoire”, as conductor Vasily Petrenko calls it, will be heard in Florence and Berlin, on 8 and 22 September, respectively. It will be performed by two world-class international orchestras: the Orchestra and Choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino conducted by Fabio Luisi, and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Vladimir Jurowski. Both performances of Enescu’s symphony can also be listened to on the stage of the Bucharest Palace Hall on 17 September (Orchestra and Choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino) and 5 September (Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra).
“It is an honour to be able to take forward George Enescu’s music and name on some of the most important international stages. Many of the international orchestras have first performed Enescu’s music in the Festival in Bucharest and now, due to a music-loving and diplomatic effort, we are able to bring George Enescu back, in top performances available to audiences all over the world, as the greatest Romanian composer deserves, and thus expand the Festival with a truly international edition”, said Mihai Constantinescu, executive director of George Enescu Festival.
In Dresden, the renowned violinist Sarah Chang will perform Enescu on 8 September, and soprano Kristine Opolais will bring to the audience the Sept chansons de Clément Marot, Op. 15, by George Enescu, while in Liège conductor Gergely Mandaras will lead the Suite for Orchestra No. 2, Op. 20 by George Enescu, on 2 September. In Kishinev, a concert dedicated to the Festival will take place on 20 September, in the vision of “Serghei Lunchevici” National Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert in Toronto will include the Toccata from Piano Suite Op. 10 and the Impromptu concertant, in the series entitled “Tribute to George Enescu”. The same Impromptu concertant will be heard on 14 September in the performance of Michael Berkovsky and Conrad Chow. On September 21st and 22nd, violinist Alexandru Tomescu will perform in Montreal and Toronto “The Ménétrier” by George Enescu, in a larger programme including works by Bach, Beethoven, Kriesler or Piazzolla.
Tickets to the concerts in the International Enescu Festival section can be bought on the websites of each relevant orchestra and concert hall.
About “George Enescu” International Festival
Having reached its 24th edition, George Enescu International Festival will take place between 31 August and 22 September 2019. In Bucharest concert halls we will see over 2,500 of the most valuable musicians of the world, coming from 50 countries, and 84 concerts and recitals will be presented. This year’s edition of the festival has a total number of 34 figures for the first time in Romania: 25 artists, including Marion Cotillard, Kirill Petrenko, Mitsuko Uchida, and nine world-class orchestras. The 2019 edition of George Enescu International Festival awaits its audience in the Palace Hall, at the Romanian Athenaeum, the Radio Hall, the Small Palace Hall, the George Enescu Hall at the National University of Music, and at Excelsior Theatre, to concerts and recitals grouped under six sections: “Great Orchestras of the World”, “By Midnight Concerts”, “Recitals and Chamber Music”, “21st Century Music”, “Mozart Week in Residence” and “International Composers’ Forum”. Concerts and events will also be organised in the Festival Square, along with conferences, record releases and book launches, and extraordinary shows.
For more details: https://www.festivalenescu.ro/
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Translation provided by Biroul de Traduceri Champollion
