Ponta: Enescu, first Romanian composer to enter world cultural heritage; let's be proud of genuine values!

Prime Minister Victor Ponta posted a message on Tuesday on his Facebook page to mark the 133rd birth anniversary of composer George Enescu, in which he writes that the famous composer offered Romania a modern identity starting from tradition.

'Today, August 19, we celebrate the 133th birth anniversary of famous composer George Enescu. A genial artist and one of a kind talent, Enescu revived the Romanian musical culture and offered us a modern identity starting from tradition. He was the first Romanian composer to enter the world cultural heritage, and I believe Romanians should be proud of their genuine values,' Ponta says.
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A composer, violinist, pianist, director and teacher, George Enescu, one of the most prominent musicians of the late 19th century — first half of the 20th century, was born on August 19, 1881 at Liveni-Varnav, Botosani County.

Today, his childhood commune bears his name. He was the 12th child of Maria Cozmovici-Enescu and Costache Enescu.

Enescu's path to world symphonic fame was paved with his Romanian rhapsodies of 1901 and 1902, which were his unchallenged contribution to the arts in the 20th century. The first performance in Romania of his 'Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A major' was staged on January 21, 1912 by the Philharmonia Orchestra of Arad. The second rhapsody was heard for the first time on February 7, 1908 at the Gaveau Hall of Paris. Enescu conducted for the first time the two rhapsodies on March 22 1908 at a show hosted by the Santa Cecilia Music Academy of Rome.

He was one of the most important contemporary conductors, and many of the world's prestigious orchestras performed under his baton. His conductive mastery would reflect in the deepness of performance, clarity of...