Romanian violinist, composer, and conductor George Enescu was born on this day in 1881.
His famed students included Yehudi Menuhin, Christian Ferras, Ivry Gitlis, Arthur Grumiaux, and Ida Haendel.
Enescu composed three symphonies, three orchestral suites, two string quartets, three violin sonatas, two cello sonatas, two piano sonatas, and a sizable body of chamber ensemble works. He was also the dedicatee of Eugene Ysaye’s Sonata No. 3 "Ballade" for solo violin.
In addition to being a composer, his conducting engagements included leading the Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Paris, and other prominent ensembles.
The Georges Enescu Museum in Bucharest is dedicated to his work, and the musician is featured on the Romanian five lei banknote.
Christian Ferras was a leading violinist in the French violin school, centered at his place of study, the Paris Conservatory.
Ferras is admired for his recordings
Ning Feng, 2000 Senior Division, Second Prize Winner:
My experience at the Menuhin competition was something really unforgettable. Not only because it was the first major competition that I got a prize from,