George Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1, composed in 1901 when the composer was just nineteen, is a jubilant celebration of the folk music of his native land. Premiered in Bucharest in 1903 under Enescu’s baton, the rhapsody quickly became the composer’s signature work, its infectious rhythms and melodies ensuring its enduring popularity.

The rhapsody opens with a traditional Romanian drinking song, introduced by clarinet and oboe, and gradually weaves together a succession of folk tunes in a variety of moods. The music grows increasingly animated, culminating in a frenzied dance that showcases the brilliance of the orchestra and the exuberance of Romanian folk traditions. Enescu’s orchestration fuses elements of German Romanticism and French Impressionism with the improvisatory flair of the lăutari, the professional folk musicians of Romania. The result is a work of irresistible vitality and color, a vivid musical portrait of a nation’s spirit and soul.

The piece’s structure is loosely episodic, with themes returning in varied forms and new episodes emerging organically from the musical fabric. The rhapsody’s exuberant finale, with its whirlwind of swirling strings and blazing brass, never fails to bring audiences to their feet-a testament to Enescu’s youthful genius and his deep love for the music of his homeland.