Although George Enescu (1881-1955) was actually a very cosmopolitan composer, he is mainly known as a Romanian nationalist. Enescu's two Romanian rhapsodies are responsible for this. Romanian-born Enescu first studied in Vienna, where he graduated at the age of 12. He then took the unusual step of continuing his education in Paris, where he became a pupil of Fauré and Massenet. He also performed
… as a violin soloist and conductor. Enescu has left very little music; something for which his keen self-criticism has been responsible. A look at Enescu's compositional ambitions is offered here by the Viotta Ensemble, which performs two chamber music works. These pieces are seldom played and that is undoubtedly due to the (for chamber music) unusually large line-up. The Octuor op.7 was created in the years 1899-1900 and was written for double string quartet. What is striking about this piece is that it has the usual four separate movements, but that together they function as a large sonata form: the first movement is the exhibition, the development takes place in the two following movements, while the final functions as a recapitulation, with special feature that all themes now appear in waltz form. The Dixtuor is written for a kind of double wind quintet, although the oboe is not doubled, but is supported by the lower English horn. This work premiered in 1906 and was received with general enthusiasm; something where perhaps the, Incidentally, not very conspicuous elements in Romanian folk music contributed to the finale. Both pieces have a certain unruliness, but are certainly worth listening to. (JvG)more
