George Enescu (Aug.19, 1881 - May 4, 1955) has long been regarded as Romania's most important musician. In addition to composing, he was also a violinist, pianist, and conductor. At age seven he became the youngest student ever admitted to the Vienna Conservatory, studying with Robert Fuchs, and Sigismund Bachrich. Later on he studied at the Paris Conservatory, studying with Jules Massenet, and Gabriel Faure.

Enescu isn't a completely obscure composer to many; his Romanian Rhapsodies are his most frequently programmed works. Sadly, his symphonies don't get a great deal of attention, and it's his Symphony no. 1  is what we are looking at today.

Written in 1905, this symphony reflects his training in both Vienna and Paris, and is three movements: Assez vif et rythme, Lent, and Vif vigoureux. The first movement opens with a stunning brass fanfare which is also thematic material used throughout. Rhythmic intensity and a vigorously moving line are defining characteristics of the first movement. In the second, Lent, is much less tumultuous, but is based on a steady eighth note pulse. Enescu uses an interesting mixture of instruments at times (bass clarinet, English horn, trumpet and harps) and there's an overall mysterious quality about the movement. The fantasy-like feel of the movement gives it a very French atmosphere, complete with the unique sonorities that Enescu is known for. The third movement, vif vigoureux, begins with the strings playing a rapid scherzo-like motif, which makes up the thematic material of the grand finale. The movement is shorter than the other two, but is chock full of rich orchestration, rhythmic excitement, and ends gloriously, with majestic trumpet fanfares outlining the key of the symphony, E flat major.

Here are some recordings of this rich and bold symphony you can enjoy!

George Enescu Bucharest Philharmonic
American Symphony Orchestra
George Enescu State Philharmonic Orchestra