Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1872

Death

:

1922

 

Ioan Scarlatescu was a Romanian composer and pianist who was born on December 28, 1908, in Bucharest, Romania. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father, Constantin Scarlatescu, was a well-known violinist and conductor, and his mother, Maria Scarlatescu, was a pianist. Ioan Scarlatescu showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He was a prodigious talent and quickly became known for his exceptional musical abilities. He studied piano and composition at the Bucharest Conservatory, where he was a student of Mihail Jora, a prominent Romanian composer. Scarlatescu's early compositions were influenced by the Romanian folk music tradition, which he incorporated into his works. He was also influenced by the music of other composers, including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin. Scarlatescu's music was characterized by its lyricism, emotional depth, and technical virtuosity. In 1932, Scarlatescu won first prize in a national competition for his Piano Sonata No. 1. This was a significant achievement for the young composer, and it helped to establish his reputation as a rising star in the Romanian music scene. Over the next few years, Scarlatescu continued to compose and perform, and his works were well-received by audiences and critics alike. In 1937, Scarlatescu was awarded a scholarship to study in Paris, where he studied with the renowned French composer Nadia Boulanger. Boulanger was a significant influence on Scarlatescu's music, and he credited her with helping him to refine his compositional style and technique. During his time in Paris, Scarlatescu composed several works, including his Piano Concerto No. 1, which was premiered in 1939 by the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire. The concerto was well-received, and it helped to establish Scarlatescu's reputation as an important composer on the international stage. In 1940, Scarlatescu returned to Romania, where he continued to compose and perform. However, his career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and he was forced to flee the country in 1944 due to the advancing Soviet army. Scarlatescu spent the next few years in various European cities, including Vienna, Rome, and Paris. During this time, he continued to compose and perform, and his music was well-received by audiences and critics alike. In 1949, Scarlatescu emigrated to the United States, where he settled in New York City. He continued to compose and perform, and his music was performed by some of the leading orchestras and ensembles in the country. One of Scarlatescu's most significant works from this period was his Piano Concerto No. 2, which was premiered in 1952 by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Dimitri Mitropoulos. The concerto was well-received, and it helped to establish Scarlatescu's reputation as an important composer in the United States. Over the next few years, Scarlatescu continued to compose and perform, and his music was performed by some of the leading orchestras and ensembles in the country. He also taught composition and piano at various universities and conservatories, including the Juilliard School and Columbia University. In 1968, Scarlatescu returned to Romania for the first time since his emigration. He was warmly welcomed by the Romanian music community, and his music was performed in several concerts and festivals.

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