Enescu, George (1881-1955)

Romanian violinist and composer. In 1899 he began his career as a virtuoso violinist and teacher of the instrument; Yehudi Menuhin and Arthur Grumiaux were among his pupils.

He studied at the Vienna Conservatory, Austria, 1888-93, and then went to Paris, France, to finish his violin studies with Marsick and to study composition with Jules Massenet, André Gedalge, and Gabriel Fauré.

Works Opera Œdipe (after Sophocles, 1921-31; produced 1936).

Orchestral five symphonies (1905, 1912-14, 1916-21, with chorus and piano solo, 1934 and 1944, with tenor and chorus); Poème roumain/Romanian Rhapsodies, suites and intermezzi, and other pieces for orchestra.

Chamber string octet (1900), wind dectet (1906), two piano quintets (1894, 1940), two piano quartets (1909, 1943), two string quartets (1920, 1953), two piano trios (1897, 1916); three violin and piano sonatas (1897, 1899, 1926), two cello sonatas (1898, 1935); suites and other works for piano.

Other songs.