|
History
Over the past two hundred years the city of
Iasi was very close linked to European music
performances (just to remember here Franz Liszt's concerts in
January 1847).
In Iasi, in 1860 the School of
Music was inaugurated (that became in 1864 the
Conservatory of Music and Drama Arts). In 1868 the first
Philharmonic Society was created, but unfortunately it had a short
life (its opening concert took place on January 14th, 1869). Only in
1918 was set up the George Enescu Philharmonic Society of Iasi,
which performed music of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Weber and Wagner.
After all these endeavors, on October 9th 1942 took
place the inaugural concert of the Iasi State
Philharmonic, having George Enescu as a
conductor. Since then, the artistic activity of the Philharmonic has
steadily increased its quality and diversity.
Professor Radu Constantinescu,
together with other upholders of the new born institution, formed an
ensemble prepared to perform a representative repertoire, leading
soon to a distinctive interpretive style. So, during the first ten
years of its activity, the ensemble performed more than 150 works.
For the first time could be listened in Iasi symphonic works by
Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, R. Strauss, Debussy,
Shostakovitch etc., concertos by Saint-Saëns, Glazunov,
Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Ravel and Romanian music by Al. Zirra, A.
Castaldi, M. Andricu, A. Stoia, A. Alessandrescu.
In the spring of 1953, an important event opened
new perspectives in the artistic life of the Iasi Philharmonic:
the foundation of the Choir that in the
fall of the same year received the name of Gavriil
Musicescu Choir of the Iasi State Philharmonic. Thus,
for the first time, it was possible to perform in Iasi the 9th
Symphony by Beethoven (June 4th, 1954), the Requiem by Mozart (May
27, 1955), The Seasons Oratorio by Haydn (April 26, 1957), Verdi’s
Requiem (February 17, 1961) and Carmina burana by Carl Orff (January
19, 1962). This important repertoire was added to more than 100 new
title of the vocal-symphonic genre, as well as to an impressive a
cappella repertoire.
The second important event in the history of the
Iasi Phiharmonic, after the foundation of the Choir, took place in
1962, when the young musician Ion Baciu came to
Iasi as the resident conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra. In a very
short time, he became a stately figure of Iasi musical life. Ion
Baciu started to form the famous “Super-Orchestra", giving
more vigour to the ensemble by renewing it with students from the
Conservatory. Moreover, as he could notice some special features of
the instrumental school in Iasi – such as the special sound of the
strings – Ion Baciu created over the ’70, what Maestro Emanuel
Elenescu called “a symphonic team" and the musicologist Iosif Sava –
“Baciu’s Stradivarius".
During this period, the repertoire no longer
impressed in the number of works, but through their quality of
performance. The conductor preferred Enescu’s music, towards which
he showed special sensibility. For the first time in Iasi the
Dixtuor for winds and especially The 3rd Symphony
with chorus (April 10, 1964) were performed. Other important
first auditions: Le Sacre du printemps by Stravinsky
(October 1962), works by Bartók, Skriabin, Debussy, Ravel, Stefan
Niculescu, Aurel Stroe, Dumitru Capoianu, Pascal Bentoiu etc.
A major event during Ion Baciu’s period took place
in 1975 (in Iasi) and in 1981 (in Bucharest), as the Oedip was
performed, on the occasion of the George Enescu’s birth centenary.
Maestro Ion Baciu proved outstanding qualities not only as a
conductor and a composer, but even as producer and stage director as
well. He created a very interesting and much appreciated concert
version of Enescu’s masterpiece Oedip.
After 1970, the Orchestra became well-known
throughout the country and soon enough also abroad. From 1971, the
ensemble performed tours every year, coming in contact with a new
and diverse repertoire, allowing to adapt to any musical style or
genre.
After 1975, the Iasi Philharmonic became an
appreciated artistical appearance not only in the Romanian concert
halls – especially in Bucharest – but also abroad: Beethovensaal in
Bonn, the Antique Theatre of Macerata (Italy), Meistersingersaal in
Nürnberg, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Edvard Grieg Concert Hall in
Bergen (Norway), Salle Gaveau in Paris, Gasteig in Munich, De Doolen
in Rotterdam, etc. Also in New York, Washington, Chicago, San
Francisco, Boston and Los Angeles, in Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa,
Toronto, Montreal.
Since 1990, the Symphonic Orchestra of the Iasi
Philharmonic is invited every year to perform at the International
Contest Grand Prix Maria Callas in Athens. This success came as a
result of so many hours of rehearsal with Maestro Ion Baciu. After
more than 25 years, the musicians of Iasi are now appreciated for
their professionalism, exigency, discipline and, last but not least,
for their inexhaustible enthusiasm.
Apart from the concert performances, the ensembles
of the Iasi Philharmonic – the Symphonic Orchestra and the Gavriil
Musicescu Choir - execute also many recordings on CD, at radio or
TV, with all kinds of music genres.
In 1998, another important event took place: the
Council of the Iasi County alloted the amount to acquiring a
Steinway Grand piano from Hamburg.
In 1986, the conductor Ion Baciu left Iasi, being
followed by Gheorghe Costin. Between 1995-2001,
besides Gheorghe Costin, also the young and talented Camil
Marinescu was resident conductor of Iasi Philharmonic. In
1998, Alexandru Lascae, a remarkable musician and
experienced violinist, concert maestro in Hague Philharmonic (the
Netherlands), joined the Iasi Philharmonic.
Alexandru
Lascae is at present the resident
conductor of Iasi Philharmonic.
Famous
conductors and soloists who collaborated with Iasi
Philharmonic
Maestro George
Enescu was the first conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra
of the Iasi Philharmonic. He conducted the inaugural concert on
October 9th, 1942. Since then, the musicians of the Iasi
Philharmonic had the chance to meet and collaborate with a lot of
famous artists, as follows:
Conductors Horia
Andreescu, Ion Baciu, Marco Balderi, Serge Baudo, Roberto Benzi,
Erich Bergel, Frédéric Chaslin, Antonin Ciolan, Sergiu Comissiona,
Renard Czaikovski, Emanuel Elenescu, Lawrence Foster, George
Georgescu, Valeri Gergief, Olivier Grangean, Michael Hofstetter,
Samo Hubad, Mihail Jora, Vakhtang Jordania, Cristian Mandeal, Paul
Nadler, Oskar Nedbal, Vaclav Neumann, Ionel Perlea, Theodor
Rogalski, Eduard Serov, Constantin Silvestri, Adrian Sunshine, Felix
Weingartner etc.
Soloists Alexandru
Agache, Radu Aldulescu, Lucia Aliberti, Dmitri Bashkirov, Jose
Carreras, Li Min Cean, Aldo Ciccolini, Leontina Ciobanu-Vaduva,
Viorica Cortez, Halyna Czerny-Stefanska, Nikolai Demidenko, Philippe
Entremont, Viktor Eresko, Valentin Gheorghiu, Yvry Gitlis, Dan
Grigore, Massimo La Guardia, Nicolae Herlea, Grigori Jislin, Rudolf
Kerer, Wolfgang Laufer, Mihaela Martin, Elena Mosuc, Mariana
Nicolesco, David Ohanesian, Vladimir Orlov, Emilia Petrescu,
Sviatoslav Richter, Kiril Rodin, Mstislav Rostropovici, Stefan Ruha,
Daniil Shafran, Eugen Sarbu, Dimitri Sgouros, Viktor Tretiakov, Ion
Voicu, Frank Peter Zimmermann.
The "MOLDOVA"
State Philharmonic from Iasi - Romania - At
present
The "MOLDOVA" State Philharmonic from
Iasi is a professional musical institution, with permanent activity.
It is financial supported by the Romanian Ministry of Culture and
Creeds and by the Council of Iasi County.
The Staff:
Bujor Prelipcean –
General Director, First Violinist of Voces String
Quartet Adrian Anania – Artistic
Director Corneliu Sipoteanu –
Intendant Carmen Chelaru, Anca Ciobanu –
Artistic management and international relations Dana
Apostu – Chief Accountant Dumitru Popa
– Solicitor
Artistic ensembles:
I. The Symphonic
Orchestra (105 musicians)
Alexandru
Lascae – resident
conductor Concert
maestros: Marcian
David Adrian
Berescu Gheorghe
Margineanu
II. The Academic Choir Gavriil
Musicescu (70 singers)
Doru Morariu –
choir conductor Piano accompanist:
Ivonne Piedemonte
III. Ad libitum String
Quartet: Adrian
Berescu – violin
I Serban Mereuta –
violin II Bogdan
Bisoc –
viola Filip Papa –
cello
The technical and administrative department: 34
employees Total: 218 employees
The concert season lasts
for 10 months, from September to June, the next year, and includes
aproximately 200 performances – symphonic and vocal-symphonic
concerts, choral and chamber concerts, recitals, music and poetry
performances, youth concerts, radio, TV and CD recordings.
In October 1998, the Philharmonic
acquired with the financial support of the Iasi City Council, a
Steinway Grand piano from the famous company in Hamburg. The
institution owns at present four other pianos, as well: a
Boesendorfer, an Estonia, a Petrof and a Bluthner.
Tours
abroad
1970 – West Germany – Tubingen,
Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, etc. 1971 – West Germany –
Tubingen, Stuttgart, Freiburg, etc. 1972 – West Germany –
Freiburg, Bonn (Beethovensaal),
Nurnberg
(Meistersingersaal) Switzerland
– Basel 1973 – West Germany – Bayreuth 1974 – West
Germany The
Netherlands Belgium
– Bruxelles 1975 – West Germany – Bayreuth
Chekoslovakia 1976
– West Germany –
Bayreuth France
–Annecy International Festival 1977 – Italy – Siracusa, Messina,
Lucca, Bari, San Marino,
etc. West
Germany – Bayreuth 1978 – Bulgary – Russe (March Musical
Days) USA
– New York, Washington, Denver-Colorado, Los Angeles,
San
Francisco, Chicago, Knoxville si Maryville (Tennessee), Pittsburg
(Kansas), Saint
Luis, Boston,
Oklahoma,
etc. Canada
– Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, etc. 1979 –
Austria The
Netherlands 1980 – Italy 1981 – Sweden –
Stockholm Norway
– Bergen (Edvard Grieg Concert Hall),
Oslo Denmark
– Copenhaga
West
Germany 1982 – Bulgary –
Russe Italy France
– Festivals in Aix-en-Provence and Beziers 1983 – Italy – Milan,
Rome, Florence 1984 – Italy – Macerata 1985 – Italy – Milan,
Torino (RAI), Gorizia, Rimini, Macerata 1986 – Bulgary – Russe,
Razgrad Italy –
Macerata France
– Poitiers, Le Mans, Paris (Salle Gaveau), etc. 1987, 1988, 1989
– Italy – Macerata 1990 – (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix
Maria
Callas) (Aug.)
Italy – Macerata
(Oct.)
France 1991 – (Apr.) Chisinau – R. Moldova
(choir) (Jul.)
Italy (Nov.-Dec.)
Spain – Madrid (Auditorio Nacional de Musica), Bilbao, Santander,
Santiago de
Compostella, Albacete, Alicante, Logrono, Granollers, 1992 –
(March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (Jul-Aug)
Italy –
Macerata (Sept)
Italy – Santa Marguerita, Varazze
(Sept)
Spain – Oviedo, Fraga, Calatayud,
Figueras (Nov.)
France (chamber orchestra) 1993 – (March) France (chamber
orchestra) (Jul.-Aug.)
Italy (choir, orchestra) – Borgomanero, Verbania, Varazze, Vogherra,
San Giuliano
Terme, Vasto, Vieste, Mercoliano, Diano
Castello (Aug.)
France (chamber orchestra) 1994 – (March) Greece – Athens (Grand
Prix Maria
Callas) (Jul.-Aug.)
Italy – (choir, orchestra) Feltre, Vasto, Terano, Trani, Caserta,
Savona 1995 – (Febr.) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (March)
Germany,
Austria (May)
Poland (choir) – Czestochowa (Gaude Mater
Festival) (Jul.)
Italy (choir,
orchestra) (Oct.)
The Netherlands (choir, orchestra) Groningen, Amsterdam, Gouda,
Haga,
Arnherm, Haarlem 1996
- (Dec.-Jan)
Germany (Jan.)
Switzerland – Zurich,
Basel (Febr.)
Switzerland – Zurich,
Berna (March)
Switzerland
(March)
Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (May)
Switzerland –
Zurich (Jun.)
Switzerland –
Zurich (Jul.)
Switzerland –
Zurich (Sept.-Oct.)
Germany (Dec.-Jan.1997)
– Germany – Berlin, Frankfurt-am-Oder, Rostock,
Bielefeld,
Melle, Delmenhorst 1997 - (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix
Maria
Callas) (April)
Germany (chamber
orchestra) (Oct.)
Germany (Dec.)
Germany (Dec-Jan.
1998) Germany 1998 - (Febr.) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (March)
Germany – Mullheim, Trossingen, Villingen, Bad Homburg, Russelsheim,
Hameln, Ludenscheid (May)
Germany (Sept.-Oct.)
Germany (Oct)
Germany – Tubingen,
Balingen (Dec-Jan.1999)
Italy (choir, orchestra) – Ascoli Piceno, Fabriana, Vercelli,
Sondalo, Messina,
Sicilia, Marsala, Noto, Taranto, Bastia, Perugia, Concordia,
Verbania (Dec-Jan.1999)
Germany – Dresden, Berlin, Meinerzhagen, Delmenhorst, Helmstedt,
1999 - (Jan) Italy (chamber orchestra) – Brescia, Sulmona,
Pescara, Campobasso,
Lecce, Cosenza,
Lamezia Terme, Messina,
Palmi (Febr)
Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (Aug-Sept)
Italy,
Spain (Nov-Dec)
The Netherlands – Amsterdam,
Haga (Dec-Jan
2000) Spain (choir, orchestra) – Madrid, Murcia,
Cordoba (Dec-Jan.2000)
Germany 2000 - (March-April) - Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (Oct-Nov)
The
Netherlands (Nov)
Germany (Dec-Jan.2001)
Germany 2001 - (March) Greece – Athens (Grand Prix Maria Callas),
Volos,
Larissa (Oct-Nov)
The Netherlands (choir, orchestra) – Amsterdam, Haga, Eindhoven,
Utrecht, Rotterdam,
Breda, Assen, Bergen, Hasselt,
Leystaat (Nov)
Germany – Uelzen, Stade, Bad Pyrmont, Bad Mundr, Meinerzhagen,
Diepholz (Dec)
Germany (choir,orchestra) – Stuttgart, Mannheim, Frankfurt-am-Main
(Alte
Oper), Baden- Baden,
Landberg am Lech, Kulmbach, Leipzig
(Gewandhaus). (Dec-Jan.2002)
Germany – Berlin, Eschwege, Bremen, Stade, Melle,
Meinerzhagen, Iserlohn,
Helmstedt, Uelzen, Bad Pyrmont, Bad Munder 2002 - (March) Greece
– Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (Sept)
–
Germany (Oct)
–
Holland (Nov)
–
Germany (Dec-Jan
2003) – Germany 2003 - (March) - Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (Oct-Nov)
–
Holland (Dec)
–
Holland (Dec-Jan
2004) – Germany 2004 - (Febr) South Korea
(March)
- Athens (Grand Prix Maria
Callas) (Oct.)
– Holland
Press
excerpts
May the Iasi Philharmonic
live for ages and accomplish its marvellous mission that it was
tasked with.
George Enescu, Iasi,
1943
I had a special pleasure to see an orchestra of
such a calibre in the city in which did not exist even five Gipsies
who meet and play each Thursday evening. For me there was an
absolute revelation !... Therefore, the great present you did to
me is the fact itself that this orchestra exists and does what it
does. Whether you would be more successful somewhere than elsewhere
– this is absolutely normal ! But this is an orchestra which may
appear abroad ! It is an unprecedent achievement for my city
!
Sergiu Celibidache, Munich, 9 March
1995
I very much enjoyed meeting this
orchestra. Each musician is full of enthousiasm. This quality gives
the orchestra freshness and youthfulness. I wish them every great
success.
Mstislav Rostropovich, Iasi
1950
"An atmosphere such an only the orchestras of
high repute are capable of meeting. The worke peerformed have been
truly magnificent."
Lawrence Foster
"Gems of the Balcans..."
Bonner Rundschau, 1976
"Briljant rumensk orkester"
Aften posten- Bergen, Norvege,
1981
"The "Moldova" Philharmonic of Iasi
is undoubtedly a supple very well balanced orchestra, whose
instrumentalists have reeached a level to be envied."
Dunavska Pravda, Bulgarie,
1982
"Orchestre National de Roumanie -
Magnificence et fougue."
Le Maine Libre - Le Mans, France,
1986
"The Iasi Philharmonic took Edmonton
by surprise Monday night and devastated the Convocation Hall
audience. ...They provided a concert of "Programme music" that
blended fire and brimstone magnificently with tender drops of
rain."
Entertainment Journal, Edmonton Canada,
1978
"Une remarquable prestation enthousiasmant les
plus difficiles auditeurs... Quel coloris de finesse, de grandeur,
de puissance, de rithme irrésistible, interprété avec une
sensibilité incomparable par les éminents membres de cette phalange
digne des plus grandes formations internationales."
Poitiers, France, 1986
"J'aimerais exprimer toute mon admiration pour
les réalisations merveilleuses de l'Orchestre Philharmonique
"Moldova" de Iasi et pour ses jeunes musiciens qui sont
admirablement préparés pour leur carriere et qui interpretent avec
un enthousiasme contagieux."
Pierre Colombo, chef d’orchestre, Iasi,
1970
"Maintenant, a la fin du cycle "Beethoven",
j'aimerais dédier une "Ode a la Joie" a l'Orchestre Philharmonique
de Iasi en signe de gratitude pour leur merveilleuse coopération. Je
souhaite que ce groupe artistique exceptionel puisse traverser le
temps avec la meme joie pour la musique et avec le meme enthousiasme
et haut professionalisme."
Cristian Mandeal, conductor Iasi,
1989
"It has been a great honor and a extraordinary
experience to work with Iasi Philharmonic in the performance and
recording of my composition Remembrance of a People, 19-20 June
2000. This orchestra is amazing - its musicians play with a total
commitment, a beautiful sound, and a wonderful musicality. They have
showed me beauty and meaning in my music that I had previously only
hoped was there. I am deeply grateful for this special and memorable
experince."
Mr.Jonathan D. Kramer, Composer and Professor
of Music at Columbia University Iasi, 20 June
2000
"Once again, it is a pleasure, endeed an
honour, to conduct the wonderful Iasi Philharmonic. The beauty of
sound, palette of colors, and response of the orchestra is superb;
also, the joy of music making and dedication is very rare in the
world of music today. A look forward to making music with such an
orchestra, our collaboration has been a total joy."
Paul Nadler, conductor Iasi, 20 June
2000
"It has been an extraordinarly remanding and
above all, inspiring, experience to have played with the Iasi
Philharmonic. In a world where many musicians are concerned only
with their time (and not to mention a focus on some interests which
have little to do with music-making), these musicians gave 100% of
their souls and hearts to the music. I will carry this impression
with me wherever I am, and whenever I perform or teach. Thank you
!"
Deborah Bradley, Director of Music
Performance at Columbia University Iasi, 20 June
2000
"Veramente è stata una bellissima esperienza.
Ho apprezzato fin dalla prima prova, l'alta qualità artistica di
ogni componente dell'orchestra e il senso d'assieme delle varie
famiglie di strumenti, la proprietà di fraseggio, l'aderenza allo
stile proposto, l'intonazione perfetta e il rispetto delle dinamiche
verdiane… … hanno prodotto uno spettacolo di altissimo livello,
davvero si poteva immaginare di ascoltarlo nelle Halls più
importanti del mondo."
Marco Balderi, conductor Iasi, October 18,
2001
“A Messiah full of contrasts. The Orchestra
played soberly and very rhythmically, but at the same time, enriched
with romantic nuances, the improvisations reaching real cadences. It
was a performance for which all means were allowed for the unique
purpose of making music to live the true value. Indeed it was a
cellebration."
Marijolijn Sengers "Eindhoven Courant",
Holland, November 8, 2001
“Prelonged aplause wellcomed the high artistic
level performance, conducted with much sensitivity and with
precision by Maestro Ulrich Weder."
Manola Romalo "România Libera", 8
ianuarie 2002
“The Iasi Philharmonic ranks without doubt
with the elite of the Romanian orchestras, a place which was earned
through the value of the artistic act, proved both in Romania and
abroad. I know well enough this symphonic team to confirm, without
reserve, that it is to be found at the same technical and
interpretive level as the one of the great orchestras from
Bucharest: The National Radio Orchestra and George Enescu
Philharmonic."
Paul Popescu, conductor Iasi,
1997
“The Iasi Philharmonic sought inspiration
everywhere, yet found it especially in a pure refinement. The
orchestra, the soloists, the choir formed a whole of a high
artistical level."
Monique Meeuwisse - "De Stem", Bergen op
Zoom, Holland November 5, 2001
Le formidable programme musical de
la Philharmonie de Iasi (Roumanie)…
Zurich, Juillet 1996
Mit Bewunderung habe ich die Ausgeglichenheit
Ihres Orchesterklanges gehoert, der bei der Begleitung von Mme.
Aliberti ein warmes Volumen verstroemte, nie dabei pastos oder
aufdringlich wirkte, sondern eine schoene Farbgebung zwischen
Blasern und Streichern erreichte.
Roland Eckert, Stuttgart, Dezember
2001
It has been really a great experience to have
the joy and pleasure to perform with this wonderful orchestra and
meet these wonderful Iasi people. Hoping to come back, with my
love.
Dimitrios Sgouros, pianist Iasi, October
1998
|
|