Michael Radulescu

Michael Radulescu was born on 19 June 1943 in Bucharest (Romania). He first studied at the university in Bucharest under Mihail Jora (composition) and Victor Bickerich (organ). In 1964 and 1965 Michael Radulescu attended the summer courses at the Mozarteum in Vienna under Anton Nowakowski (organ), Anna Barbara Speckner (harpsichord) and Carl Melles (conducting). He then continued and completed his studies at the Mozarteum under Anton Heiller (organ) and Hans Swarovsky (conducting).

Since his studies Michael Radulescu worked as an organist, conductor, teacher and composer in different positions. For 40 years - from 1968 to 2008 - he was organ professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He also gave numerous organ lectures and masterclasses world wide.

As a performer Michael Radulescu is a sought after organ artist. He performed on renowned organs world wide and is regularly jury member in organ compositions. Michael Radulescu also recorded the complete organ catalogue of Bach and conducted the symphonies of Beethoven on historcial instruments in Porrentruy between 2002 and 2004.

Among the compositions by Michael Radulescu are some orchestral works and chamber music (like his Variations for orchestra or two string trios), but a clear emphasis lies on organ and choral music. Examples for his organ music are "Seven chorales for the Passion", Ricercari, Resurrexit or Madrigali, all for solo organ. His choral music includes masses, motets, a passion as well as several songs for voice and organ.

Michael Radulescu died on 23 December 2023.

Concerto for harpsichord and 8 solo instruments

In my possession is the autograph manuscript of the "Concerto for harpsichord and 8 solo instruments" by Michael Radulescu. The work is dedicated to Anna Barbara Speckner, the harpsichord professor of Michael Radulescu in 1964/65. The manuscript is undated, but it is likely that the composition dates from around 1964. This composition is not part of the official work catalogue of Michael Radulescu because it counts as a juvenile work. The concerto remains unperformed as far as I know.

The concerto is scored for solo harpsichord with 4 winds (flute, oboe, bassoon and horn) and 4 strings (string quartet). It consists of the three movements 1. Allegro vivace, 2. Tranquillo and 3. Allegro amabile.