Moldovan, Mihai

Moldovan, Mihai, Romanian composer; b. Dej, Nov. 5, 1937; d. Medgidia, Sept. 11, 1981. He studied with Toduţa and Comes at the Cluj Cons. (1956–59) and with Vancea, Vieru, and Jora at the Bucharest Cons. (1959–62). He was active in various branches of Romanian radio and television. In his music, Moldovan fused a Romanian ethos with modern harmonic textures.

Works

dramatic:Opera: Trepte ale istoriei (1972); Micul print (1977–78). orch.: Oboe Concerto (1964); Texturi (1967); Poem for Ondes Martenot and Chamber Orch. (1967); Vitralii (Stained Glass Windows; 1968); Scoarţe (Tapestry; 1969); Tulnice for 4 Flutes, 8 Horns, Harp, 4 Cellos, 4 Double Basses, and Percussion (1971); Sinfonia for Strings (1972); Concerto for Double Bass and Orch. (1973); Cantemirian (1976); Omagiu lui Anton Pann (1976); Rezonante (1976); Memoria Putnei for Strings (1978). chamber: Violin Sonatina (1967); 2 string quartets (1968, 1978); Incantations for Clarinet and Piano (1968); Cadenza I for Trombone and Percussion, II for Double Bass, III for Flute and Percussion (all 1971), and V for Cello and Trumpet (1980); Imaginati-vă un spectacol Kabuki for Chamber Ensemble (1978). vocal: cantatas:Soave al păcii (Sun of Peace; 1962); Prefigurala primavera, chamber cantata (1962); Bocet (1963); 6 stări de nuanţă (1966); Cintare omului (1967); Luceafăru de ziua (1977). Other: Rituale, suite for Soprano and Orch. (1963); Cìntece străbune (Ancient Songs) for Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Piano, Vibraphone, Xylophone, and String Quintet (1972).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire