30 July 2011
Recent Romanian Tour
Two years after appearing with the Bucharest Sinfonia in the Romanian Ateneum Beethoven Festival, Michael Woods again performed in Romania. He first directed the Valcea Filharmonic in one of his typical Music for the People concerts, before then directing an all-Mozart program with the Sinfonia in Bucharest.
Romania is a beautiful country with a great musical heritage. In contrast with the Austro-Hungarian background of many of the other cities in the central-European region, Bucharest is essentially a Latin city - explained largely by the fact that the country was once the Roman Republic of Dachia. All around the city are cultural and architectural links with Italy and France.
The musicians and audience in Valcea really warmed to the mix of traditional and contemporary classics - rich orchestral sound and great fun and excitement - once again, the audience was up and cheering, especially after Hey Jude variations, Rocky and South Rampart Street Parade. I do hope to return to that beautiful city in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains. In Bucharest, it was great to meet the Sinfonia players again. Again, this was a finely controlled ensemble and the players were especially open to fresh ideas and played with considerable contrast and subtlety - another great musical experience together.
Whether, it's for traditional classics or for modern popular music, it is a pleasure to work with Romanian musicians - who seem to play with real authority and freedom of expression.
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