Meet the Philharmonic
As an artistic institution dedicated exclusively to concert activities, The Cluj-Napoca Philharmonic was founded through an official decree of Romania’s Council of Ministers, in the autumn of 1955, under the name of “The State Philharmonic Cluj”. At that time, the symphonic orchestra had 75 musicians and the ensemble of traditional music had 20 members. Under the supervision of Maestro Wilhelm Demian, the members of the new institution were selected after a competition took place. Maestro Antonin Ciolan was appointed principal conductor of the symphonic ensemble and he conducted the first concert of the Philharmonic, on the 4th of December 1956. In the beginning of 1956 he became also the general manager of the Philharmonic.
One must mention that the tradition of symphonic activity in Cluj-Napoca has developed historically since the beginning of the 19th century, carried by associations like The Orchestra of the Hungarian Theatre (founded in 1792), The Music Society and The Music Circle. During the inter-war period, there were a series of symphonic events, sustained by the orchestras of Romanian Opera (founded in 1919), Hungarian Theatre and by an orchestra belonging to the city’s Jewish community, called “Goldmark Orchestra”. In 1947, the first attempt to found a concert institution took place, namely the “Ardealul” Philharmonic, which had a short existence of only two seasons, which however set the basis for what the cultural life in Cluj-Napoca was to become.
Due to Maestro Ciolan’s experience and the excellent training of the young musicians from the Music Academy in Cluj-Napoca (at that time Music Conservatory), the Philharmonic’s progress was extremely fast. It soon became an important name among the national artistic values. Already since the foundation of the institution, next to the musical ensembles some of the most prestigious musicians of the moment became involved – the flautist Dumitru Pop and the piano player Gheorghe Halmos, shortly after also the violinist Ştefan Ruha, the one who will later accomplish a remarkable international career, while simultaneously remaining committed to the Philharmonic for three decades. Already in the first years, the exceptional disciples of Maestro Ciolan started their careers – conductors Emil Simon and Erich Bergel. Another famous Romanian conductor, Cristian Mandeal was also active in his formative years with the Cluj Philharmonic.
In 1966, the Chamber Orchestra was founded, under the baton of the well-known Mircea Cristescu. In 1965, the Philharmonic organized the first edition of its own yearly festival, The Cluj Musical Autumn.
In 1972, under composer Sigismund Toduţă’s directorship, the Philharmonic’s Choir was founded and trained by the unforgettable Maestro Dorin Pop, followed by his disciples Florentin Mihăescu and Cornel Groza.
Famous guests – such as Sviatoslav Richter, Kurt Masur, Kyril Kondrashin, Stanislaw Wislocky, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Witold Lutoslawsky, Carlo Zecchi, Yannis Xenakis, János Ferencsik, Aldo Ciccolini, Krisztof Penderecky, Michi Inoue, Stefan Anton Reck and many others – have increased the reputation of the Philharmonic on the international musical scene. Many regular tours abroad of the symphonic orchestra and of the choir have confirmed its reputation again and again. Also, its important discography represents a testimony for the solid values created during decades by the musicians of Cluj.
Following the two founding figures of the Philharmonic, various personalities of Cluj’s cultural life became involved in its activities – writer Dumitru Mircea, musicologist Rodica Oana Pop, violinist Radu Grecu, composer Adrian Pop (under whose conductorship, the current name of the institution, The “Transylvania” State Philharmonic was adopted), violinist George Dudea, conductor Emil Simon, manager Denisa Piteiu, violinist Dorina Mangra. They have all managed, under sometimes more difficult circumstances, to maintain and develop the traditions and the values of the institution. At present, under the supervision of general manager Marius Tabacu, the “Transylvania” State Philharmonic honors these traditions with an impressive resume and an ongoing artistic potential, reconfirmed by every presence.