Crow and Solomon (who is the artistic director of the Canadian branch of the festival) fill their program with late-19th- and early-20th-century fireworks representative of Enescu’s legacy. Ravel’s Sonata in G Major was premiered by Ravel at the piano and Enescu on the violin in 1927; Ysaÿe’s “fiery” Sonata for solo violin No.3 was dedicated to Enescu in 1923; Bartók’s Romanian Dances; Brahms’ Sonata No.3 for Violin and Piano; and Enescu’s Toccata from Piano Suite Op.10 and Impromptu Concertant.
Classical music lovers rejoice: the famous “George Enescu” festival extends to Canada this September with three world-class events in Toronto and one in Montreal.
George Enescu was a 20th-century musical genius, so no wonder his native country Romania hosts a world-class music festival in his honour.
Launched 1958, three years after his death, the international musical gathering was meant to to be celebrated every three years. Since 2001, the festivities run every two years, and for the 24th edition in 2019, they extend to Canada.
During World War I, together to his creative activity, Enescu gave concerts in Romania for the wounded in hospitals. After the war, he resumed his tours as a violinist and conductor in Switzerland, France, Holland, Spain, USA, Portugal, Canada, etc.
The musician founded The Symphonic Orchestra in Iași and he conducted it between 1918 and 1920; he also conducted Philharmonic Society Orchestra (1898-1906), Public Instruction Ministry Orchestra (1906-1920), and of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Bucharest (1920-1946).
Enescu was often invited at the Peleș Castle by Queen Elisabeth of Romania (whose pen-name was Carmen Sylva) to give concerts and violin recitals. A series of songs in German is the result of the artistic collaboration between Enescu, the composer, and the Queen, the author.
