George Enescu 145
The George Enescu International Competition coincides this year with the 145th anniversary of the birth of the great Romanian musician
Ştefan Stoica, 20.08.2026, 11:28
On 19 August, 145 years had passed since the birth of the man widely regarded as Romania’s most important composer, George Enescu. His remarkable artistic career encompassed many roles: composer, violinist, teacher, pianist and conductor. His best-known compositions date from the early years of the 20th century.
In 1913, Enescu established the George Enescu National Composition Prize, which he financed from his own funds and which was awarded annually until 1946. Created to encourage Romanian musical composition, the competition offered its winners not only generous cash prizes, but also the opportunity to have their works performed in concert.
George Enescu was also a founding member and president of the Romanian Composers’ Society in Bucharest. During the First World War, alongside his work as a composer, Enescu gave concerts in Romania for wounded soldiers in hospitals. After the war, he resumed his international tours as a violinist and conductor, performing in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, Portugal and Canada.
Enescu was also a frequent guest at Peleș Castle in Sinaia, where Queen Elisabeth of Romania, known by her literary pseudonym Carmen Sylva, often invited him to give concerts and violin recitals.
George Enescu’s international recognition and reputation gave him numerous opportunities to teach courses in musical performance, stylistics, analysis and musical form. Yehudi Menuhin was among the celebrated violinists who refined their art under Enescu’s guidance.
Composer, conductor, violinist, pianist and teacher, George Enescu remains one of the most distinguished cultural figures of the 20th century. He played an important role in promoting Romanian music and helped Romanian composers gain international recognition. His legacy lives on through the international festival that bears his name.
The 28th edition of the George Enescu International Festival will take place from 27 August to 26 September 2027. Culture Minister András István Demeter said that the George Enescu International Festival is one of Romania’s strategic cultural projects and one of the main ways in which the country promotes its culture internationally.
Alternating with the Festival, this year, from 28 August to 19 September, Romania will host one of the major events on its classical music calendar, the George Enescu International Competition. The opening concert on 23 August at the Romanian Athenaeum, the symphonic concerts on 27 and 28 August, the three finals with orchestra, as well as five recitals given by jury members and laureates of previous editions, will be broadcast live by Radio Romania Music.
This continues a partnership between the George Enescu International Competition and Romania’s public broadcaster, Radio Romania, which dates back to the competition’s first edition in 1958. (MI)
