Youth and Children’s Choir “Symbol”
Bucharest, Romania
Jean Lupu - conductor
Luminita Guţanu - second conductor
Competition Section
| Title | Composer | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|
| Litanie (Litany) |
Stefan Andronic (1921-2008) | Liturgical text |
| Miorita (The little sheep) |
Petre Stefanescu (b. 1956) | Folk song |
| Joc din Oas (Dance from Oash) |
Mihai Moldovan (1937-1981) | |
| Clopote astrale (Astral bells) |
Teodor Zgureanu (b. 1939) |
Teodor Zgureanu (b. 1939) |
| Setolka |
Todor Skalovsky (1909-2004) | Folk song |
The “Symbol” Choir was founded in 1990 by professor Jean Lupu, under the high patronage, and with the blessing of Patriarch Teoctist, the former Head of the Romanian Orthodox Church. All members of the choir are excellent musicians and good Christians, preserving and representing successfully Symbol’s unique voiceprint within the Romanian choral scene.
“Symbol” has performed on the most prestigious stages all over the country. Special attention should be given to the fact that the famous George Enesco Festival includes annually in its program at least one concert to be performed by “Symbol”.
The choir’s discography is also extremely impressive and extensive. It is worth mentioning that “Symbol” was twice on the list of nominees for the Romanian Music Awards (2001,2002) for its first 2 CDs, along with other famous Romanian artists and musicians.
Other important awards won by “Symbol”:
- 1999: The 2nd Prize in the Choral Contest in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
- 2010: “Symbol” was awarded both the Gold and the Silver medal in the “International Franz Schubert” choir competition, in Vienna, Austria.
- 2012: The 3rd Prize in the International Choir Competition “Prof. Gh. Dimitrov”, Varna, Bulgaria.
Professor Jean Lupu graduated from the Orthodox Theological Seminary in Craiova, the “Radu Greceanu” High School in Slatina, and later the National Music Academy in Timisoara and Bucharest. His activities and works include numerous articles and books about music as well as collections of songs for children and adults. He wrote 44 songs for children, gathered in his personal volume “Bugs and flowers” (“Gâze şi flori”). For 30 years he has been a devoted teacher at the Pedagogical High School. He was awarded with many awards such as the “Patriarchal Cross”, the highest distinction of the Romanian Orthodox Church for exceptional merits, “An Outstanding Professor" recognition by the Ministry of Education and the “Diploma of Excellence”.
PhD. Senior Lecturer, Luminiţa Guţanu, was born in Kishinev in the Republic of Moldova. She obtained a MMus degree of choral conducting at the Faculty of Musical Pedagogy, within the State University of Arts in Kishinev. In addition she received a Ph.D. in Musical Stylistics at the National University of Music in Bucharest, Romania. Currently, Luminiţa Guţanu is a Senior Lecturer at “Spiru Haret” University in Bucharest, the second conductor of “Symbol” Youth and Children’s Choir, an associate conductor of the “Nicolae Lungu” Romanian Patriarchy, Conductor and founder of “Ad Libitum” Choral Group, and a lyrical artist in the renowned “Preludiu” Chamber Choir.
CD, DK
