George Enescu Competition: talking with cellist Valentin Radutiu

Each September brings to Bucharest the magic of national composer George Enescu, this year through the contest for young musicians setting out on their path to greatness. Some 174 were chosen to participate in this year’s George Enescu International Competition (biennial since 2014), the only Romanian classical music competition with international recognition, which will be held in the Athenaeum in Bucharest from September 3-25. BR went behind the scenes of the competition to talk to some of its glittering alumni about its meaning.

By Oana Vasiliu

Cellist Valentin Radutiu, winner of second prize at the George Enescu Cello Contest in 2011

What does the George Enescu contest mean to you?

The Enescu Competition and my award gave me many chances, beneficial possibilities, beautiful memories and perspectives. Mentioning this award on one’s CV means much more exposure than just someone who won something in a competitive way. With this award, I developed and connected with many musical, professional and personal aspects of my life. Of course my father – also a cellist and my first teacher – who studied in Bucharest, contributed to my participation in the competition with a special significance. In the finals, my father saw me in the same room in which he took his soloist exam, performing the same work that he had played 40 years earlier: the Dvorak concert. Also, the competition made me engage more deeply with George Enescu’s music, which will always have a hugely important role in my life, not just my life as a cellist.

What does it mean to a young musician?

A young musician needs a goal and must learn to be under certain pressures: one is to prepare a repertoire by a certain date, to perform in front of an audience and a jury and to compare him- or herself and be compared with the competition. Even if this exposure has unpleasant moments, obviously stressful, you should enjoy the chance it provides because the effort is only for you as a musician. I always tell young musicians, laughing, that when they lack enthusiasm for study before a competition, “You are not digging for someone else!” If this investment in yourself and your evolution means the Enescu contest, the training process for your “top form” should be a huge one. This contest offers all the conditions in terms of organization, the judging panel of international personalities, prizes and opportunities offered to the winners and it is located in a fascinating capital city with a long musical tradition and a music loving public. What else is there to wish for?!

Are the format, organization and promotion what Enescu would have wanted?

I do not think George Enescu was very interested in worldly things – meaning materialistic success or fame. We find in his interviews and his composed music a permanent search, reflecting the question: how to live life? Though a genius of his time, as composer, performer and conductor, Enescu knew what work, study and competition meant for his job. I am convinced that this competition would be appreciated by Enescu for the extraordinary way to discover and support young talents, as well as the efforts to open the gates to the international scene. A great joy for Enescu, I think, would be to hear in the finals a young violinist singing with soul and artistry and a greater joy if this contest bears his name.