JAVS Spring 2001

THE ROMANIAN NATIONALIST INFLUENCES ON THE VIOLA WORKS OF STAN GOLESTAN AND GEORGE ENESCU 47

Although this piece contains many elements of Romanian heritage, Enescu, who lived much of his adult life in Paris, was no doubt inspired and influenced by his French contemporaries. There are instances in which the music suddenly shifts moods from a purely Romanian mood to a French esthetic. An example of this occurs at the end of measure 127.

Example 9. Enescu, Concertstiick, measures 127-132

l:

1-

.Q

~~

- -

Tnfs expressif

----- .J .~J .J

Diminuez ,.--..._

,.--..._

,.--..._

..--.,

..--.,

II I

r~t··· v r .. v

r~t··· v "r .. v

~ ffGt!t' '• V

:

~

~

~~

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*

I_

I_

'fell.

'fell. * This effect is achieved by a sudden change of the rhythmic drive of the Batuta to a slower, sostenuto line, longer in duration than the either the dances or the parlando section. The music becomes suspended and flows simply with much less intensity and direction than any of the Romanian themes. Enescu was able to synthesize his connection with his homeland and his adopted Paris. Thus an understanding of the origin of this work as a reflection on a portion of Romanian village life opens new doors and allows Enescu's voice to be heard. CONCLUSION The voice of the Romanian people became a present force within the psyche of the composers of that culturally rich and fruitful land. Both Stan Golestan and George Enescu were leaders among their countrymen, producing pieces based upon the music heard in Romanian villages and towns. The music of the people thus became the music of the elite, flavored with the styles and conventions of Western Europe. Regardless of Parisian influence, the work of Golestan and Enescu remains Romanian in concept. It requires of the performer an understanding and an effort to reproduce the dances and the mood of the Do ina. Stan Golestan once said of his own work, "I want to achieve a musical recollection of the raw, melancholy, pastoral atmosphere that vibrates in our open skies." 12 The skies of Romania still reverberate with the energy and sadness that envelops the works of these two noteworthy composers. The spirit of nationalism still per vades their works, and is as effective today as in the era in which they were written.