Valentin Radu

Valentin Radu, Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of [http://www.voxamadeus.org/ Vox Ama Deus] [ [http://www.mainlinetimes.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/SingleWeekly;jsessionid=JMLwG4tG5dTLqt17NymZJkvFmGSNGHrJ1WmNhYpFjT1jwPsR4gTR!-1296114894?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_wk_article&r21.pgpath=%2FMLT%2FEntertainment&r21.content=%2FMLT%2FEntertainment%2FHeadlineList_Story_693279 Main Line Times Newspaper Article] Retrieved on 2008-09-09] , (currently consisting of the Camerata Ama Deus, the Ama Deus Ensemble and the Vox Renaissance Consort [ [http://www.broadstreetreview.com/article.php?idc=1&ida=378 Broad Street Review,] Retrieved on 2008-09-09] ) with performances at the [http://www.kimmelcenter.org/ Kimmel Center] in Philadelphia and other various city, suburban, and Main Line area venues, has led numerous orchestras and vocal ensembles in Europe and the U.S., including the [http://www.hunphilharmonic.org.hu/index.php?lang=en Hungarian National Philharmonic,] Bucharest, Arad, Oradea Philharmonics, the Budapest Chamber Orchestra and the Romania National Radio Orchestra. In 1996 he conducted the Bucharest Philharmonic in Handel’s Messiah, and in 1997 led the Romanian National Radio Orchestra in Handel’s Acis and Galatea (both English language premieres).

He has conducted Vox Ama Deus in various programs ranging from motets and madrigals to authentically staged Renaissance operas performed on original instruments. Since 1997, he conducts Ama Deus Ensemble and Maestro [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ro&u=http://romania-on-line.net/whoswho/GrigoreDan.htm&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522Dan%2BGrigore%2522%26num%3D100%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7ADBF%26pwst%3D1 Dan Grigore] , a legendary Romanian pianist, in their annual Viennese Gala concerts in Philadelphia. He also conducted Ama Deus Ensemble in its yearly Good Friday performances at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral-Basilica_of_SS._Peter_&_Paul Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter and Paul] in Philadelphia.

Valentin Radu and the Ama Deus Ensemble have recorded on some top labels, featuring such masterpieces as Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s B Minor Mass and Magnificat, Handel’s Acis and Galatea, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat, Handel’s Fireworks (Water Music, Royal Fireworks, Organ Concert No. 4, Op. 4). Their discography (library of 13 currently) also includes: A Baroque Christmas, A European Christmas, A Renaissance Noel on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PolyGram PolyGram label,] and Glad Tidings, released on both the [http://www.wmg.com/ Warner label] and [http://www.sonymusic.com/labels/ Sony Classics.]

"Vox...distinguished by its range and level of musicianship." [VOX SINGS A HOLIDAY PROGRAM, Lesley Valdes, Inquirer Music Critic, Published on 1990-12-10, Page C06, Philadelphia Inquirer, Retrieved on 2008-09-09] - The Philadelphia Inquirer

"He conducted his singers with a sure hand..." [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEED6173CF934A25751C1A96F948260 New York Times Article] Retrieved on 2008-09-09] - The New York Times

"Precisely Performed, Ama Deus Shines With Handel's 'Messiah' " [ [http://www.thebulletin.us/site/news.cfm?newsid=19121665&BRD=2737&PAG=461&dept_id=580223&rfi=6 The Bulletin Article] Retrieved on 2008-09-09] - The Bulletin

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Born in Romania, Valentin Radu began his music studies at age four. At age six he made his first concert debut. In 1973, at 16, he won the prestigious Rome Piano Competition, and in 1979 - the Saarbrucken Organ Competition. In 1980, he won the silver medal at the Bach International Competition in Leipzig.

Maestro Radu holds Doctoral and Masters degrees from the Juilliard School [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Juilliard_School_people Wikipedia: Juilliard Notables] , Retrieved on 2008-09-09] and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Bucharest Academy of Music. In 1976, he founded and conducted Juvenes Musici, a chamber orchestra under the auspices of the Bucharest Philharmonic. In 1980 he founded [http://www.juilliard.edu/college/music/music.html “The Juilliard Bach Players”] chamber orchestra and initiated the “Bach at Juilliard” concert series at New York’s Lincoln Center.

In 1984 Valentin Radu was invited to inaugurate and later (in 1985) make the first and only LP solo recording on the newly re-built organ of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sch%C3%B6nbrunn_Palace Imperial Chapel of Schonbrunn Palace] in Vienna. The original instrument was built in 1721, on which Mozart himself performed during his 12 years as Vienna's Court Musician.

In addition to being a classical music scholar and artist, Valentin Radu is equally accomplished in jazz performance as a conductor and a solo performer. In December 1998, he conducted the 97-member [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Enescu_Philharmonic_Orchestra&redirect=no Bucharest Philharmonic] in a Gershwin Centennial Gala concert, featuring the Rhapsody in Blue (Dan Grigore, soloist), An American in Paris, and Porgy and Bess. In November 1999, Radu conducted the Arad Phiharmonic in a centennial concert featuring works by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Ellington Duke Ellington] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gershwin George Gershwin] . Since May 2000, Maestro Radu has conducted jazz concerts in Bucharest, with his “Sound” jazz group, featuring singer [http://www.teodoraenache.com/ Teodora Enache] and Romanian jazz legend [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johnny_R%C4%83ducanu&redirect=no Johny Raducanu.]

In May 1999, Radu participated in the historic visit to Romania of Pope John Paul II. In September 2004, he was invited to be the sole performer at a special United Nations gala in New York honoring the President of Romania.

In December 1997, Radu was awarded the [http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/rwg/home.html Golden Apple by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani] . In February 1999, the Romanian Music Critics’ Association named him “1998 Musician of the Year”. In April 2003, Radu was bestowed the title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Bucharest by the mayor of his native town who is presently [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Traian_B%C4%83sescu&redirect=no Romania’s President] .

On December 20, 2005, Valentin Radu received the highest civil award of Romania: The Grand Officer of the Order of Cultural Merit (Romanian equivalent of The French Legion of Honor or British Knighthood), in recognition of his life achievement in the arts and his efforts as "Cultural Ambassador" of Romania. Radu became the seventh and youngest recipient of this most prestigious award in the history of Romania. [(wikipedia note: [http://www.roembus.org/english/services/honorary_consulates.htm#Philadelphia Philadelphia Consulate verified] for official contact). Retrieved on 2008-09-08]

Valentin Radu is a classically trained pianist and conductor. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Led By Romanian Director, Church Choir Tours Europe. |url= |quote= Last September, there was only one full-time member of the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Flourtown. A year later, the choir's membership has grown to 22. And the group has just returned from an 11-day tour of Austria and Romania. The director of the choir is Valentin Radu, an internationally renowned concert organist, pianist and conductor. The growth of the choir has coincided with his arrival at the church a year ago tomorrow as director of music. ...|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=September 20, 1987 |accessdate=2008-03-20 ]

He was born in Romania, and received his bachelors of fine arts at the Bucharest Academy of Music. He received both his masters of music and his doctorate degree from the Juilliard School of Music in New York. He frequently tours the U.S. and Europe as a conductor and recitalist. He is the founder and artistic director of the Philadelphia-based chorus and chamber orchestra, Vox Ama Deus. At the helm of Vox Ama Deus, he has recorded over a dozen CDs, including such works as Handel's Messiah and Acis and Galatea, and Bach's B Minor Mass. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=For The Record Ensembles Used To Make Recordings As An Income-Producing Project. But Now Groups Go Into The Studio With Other Goals In Mind. What It All Points To Is A New Era In Recording.|url= |quote= Perhaps the most determined recording ensemble is Ama Deus and Vox, the choir and period instrumental ensemble directed by Valentin Radu ... |publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer |date=January 5, 1997 |accessdate=2008-03-20 ]

He also teaches music history and appreciation at Devon Preparatory School in Devon, Pennsylvania and heads the school's music department (Music Director 1995 - present), as well as the Music Director for [http://www.archstreetumc.org/ Philadelphia's Arch Street United Methodist Church] (1994 - present).

References

has 3 sons. One of them Andrei, who attends Devon Prep. and one Luc. (Andrei has no friends)

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=41:47549 Valentin Radu] at All Music Guide.
* [http://www.voxamadeus.org Vox Ama Deus] Official website
* [http://pages.nyu.edu/~ddg1/Romania.html Gala Concert] Retrieved 2008-09-09
* [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Radu-Valentin.htm Gala Concert Program Notes] Retrieved 2008-09-09
* [http://voxamadeus.org/press/Vox_LifeStyleMag0308.pdf Life Style Magazine Review] Retrieved 2008-09-09
* [http://www.classicalmusicphiladelphia.com/radu.htm Classical Music Philadelphia Interview with Dr. Radu] Retrieved 2008-09-09