George Enescu Festival

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 | 𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

For the first time in the history of the Enescu Competition, the creative dimension is given its own dedicated space through the introduction of an innovative Composition Masterclass. Designed for young composers born after 1 August 2001, this programme offers a unique opportunity to develop, analyse, and refine original musical works written for chamber ensembles.

Guided by Zygmunt Krauze, Sarah Kirkland Snider and Steven Mackey, members of the jury, participants will engage directly with the creative process, exploring compositional strategies, artistic decision-making, and the refinement of musical ideas in dialogue with performers and mentors.

The benefits are substantial: active participants will take part in three practical sessions in which their own works are performed by a professional ensemble, conducted by conductors from the conducting masterclass. They will also receive 30 minutes of individual feedback with the mentors, alongside group sessions aimed at artistic development.

✨The highlight of the programme is the public pre-concert on 27 August at 18:30 in the foyer of the Romanian Athenaeum, where the selected works will come to life, followed by the Jury Members’ Final Concert.

📌Applications are open until 30 June 2026, with results announced on 8 July 2026. The masterclasses will take place in Bucharest between 24 and 27 August 2026. Apply via the official platform: festivalenescu.ro. Submit your application form, upload your original score (PDF, maximum 7 minutes), and include a digital recording of your work.

𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗩𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 | 𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Enescu Competition Masterclasses are designed as immersive artistic environments, open to different levels of engagement through two distinct forms of participation: active and passive.

Active participants take part directly in the artistic process. They work in dedicated sessions with Maestro Cristian Măcelaru and leading mentors, receive individualized feedback, and, depending on the section, perform, conduct, or present their work in front of professional ensembles and audiences. This is a fully integrated experience of artistic development, rehearsal, and public presentation.

Passive participants are equally part of the learning environment, with access to rehearsals, masterclass sessions, and concerts. They benefit from observing the detailed artistic work between mentors and active participants, gaining insight into interpretative decision-making, rehearsal methodology, and professional-level musical preparation, while also attending all Competition concerts.

Both forms of participation are conceived as complementary pathways within the same artistic ecosystem: one through direct practice, the other through close observation and absorption of process.

Applications for both active and passive participation are open until 30 June 2026. Full details and registration via the official platform: festivalenescu.ro