"Enescu was the greatest musical phenomenon, from Mozart onwards", as Pablo Casals cellist famed said. Born in 1881, in the village Liveni (Botosani), he was a precocious child. At the age of 4 years he started to play the violin by ear, he knew how to write, read and count. At 5 years was dreaming to become a composer, began to learn musical notes, started to play the piano and supports the first concert. At 6 years appear the first child compositions, he paint, draw, speak foreign languages, write poetry.
At 7 year started studying at the Vienna Conservatory. At age 12 graduated from the Conservatory with argint. At 13 years he completes their studies to the Paris Conservatory and begins to sketch the three symphonies, which become completed at 18 years. His first creation, which enshrined him like composer, is "The Romanian Poem", composed at the age of 15, who had a brilliant success in Paris. A Romanian creation, springing from love for his country, for Romanians and tradition. La 18 years graduated with first place ("Premier Prix de Violin") the Conservatory from Paris.
He becomes a virtuoso of violin and won numerous awards for interpretation. In 1936 takes place at Paris the premiere of his only opera, Oedipus, who enjoyed a resounding success. Opera was devoted to the what was to become his wife with a later, Maruca Cantacuzino.
"Romantic and classic by instinct, I tried to put in all my works a balance form which has its inner well-defined line". (G. Enescu Morning Newspaper, 1936).
In his last years he composed String Quartet Nr. 2, Chamber Symphony for twelve solo instruments, finished the Vox Maris symphonic poem for soprano, tenor, chorus and orchestra (start în1929). Symphonies no. 4 and 5 were unfinished later orchestrated by the composer Pascal Bentoiu. "For me, Enescu will remain one of the genuine wonders of the world. (...) The roots strong and nobility of his soul are from his own country, a country of outstanding beauty,"said Yehudi Menuhin, about his teacher.
George Enescu and Maruca, love of his life
George Enescu met Maruca at Peles Castle in the period 1911-1913. She was part of the entourage of Queen Mary. Maruca was a brunette woman, beautiful, tall and thin, with her spectacular appearances, slightly neurotic and domineering. It seems that Misu Cantacuzino her marriage had not been a happy one, he deceives her even with her own sister. In this context it would be started the romance with George Enescu.
In 1930, two years after her husband's death, unfortunately Maruca make a great passion for Nae Ionescu (philosophy professor), younger with 13 years. She is fascinated by the power of seduction and his intelligence. "Next to him she felt dizzy guessing under his skin on Lucifer himself," she said in her diary. After three years, when he left her, she became depressed, and having attempted suicide. Some say that she has put fire on herself, others that would have given the vitriol on herself.
Enescu had to return to the country, especially to take care of it. In 1937 get married, making a small wedding. They lived for a while at the Cantacuzino Palace, inherited from her husband, in the back house. In 1939 he went to Paris and they were returned after the war, but in 1946 leave Romania finally. George Enescu dies în1955 and Maruca in 1969. They are buried in Pere Lachaise in Paris, toghether.
Information and photo:
Elena Radu
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