A Romanian Rhapsody

Maestro Sergiu Comissiona’s biography reveals facts about his happy childhood in a Jewish petit bourgeois family in Bucharest – then, “the little Paris of Eastern Europe”, his adolescence under the Nazi specter, and his youth in repressive communist times behind the Iron Curtain. His life changes from the closed horizons of communist Romania to the broad ones of the Western world when he immigrates to Israel, later settling in England, then Sweden and, finally, the United States. His career path, from an ensemble violinist to an internationally-renowned conductor, is followed chronologically and analytically, based on his own accounts, extended research, and revealing testimonials. The Maestro’s rationale of having his biography written was, in his own words, “for the Westerners to understand my deep attachment to my Romanian roots, for the Romanians to know about my struggle for artistic affirmation in the Western world, and mostly for young conductors to realize that through passion, patience and persistence – and by not committing suicide after the first failure – the dedicated commitment to the profession bears fruit.”

Renowned travel writer Dominique Fernandez and top photographer Ferrante Ferranti head out in four long journeys covering all of Romania in a 6-year span, uncovering a tantalizing blend of German efficiency and Latin nonchalance, French literature and Gypsy music, Western rationalism and Oriental mysteries. 200 B/W photos.

Fernandez and Ferranti uncover a tantalizing blend of German efficiency and Latin nonchalance, French literature and Gypsy music, Western rationalism and Oriental mysteries. Attentive and precise, they dig beneath the somber heritage of communism to reach the deep roots of a European country about which so little is known.

Two rhapsodies in the melodramatic gypsy mode by the great Romanian violinist and composer. The better-known "Rhapsody No. 1" is tuneful and wild; "Rhapsody No. 2" is quieter, darker, more sentimental.

Haunted by the orphans she met in Romania, Carrie Randolph returns to work in an orphanage. Soon she finds herself mothering five toddlers full-time and dreaming of adopting one of them when her two-year mission is finished. Steve Romero's wife and son died in tragic circumstances in Romania, and he struggles to put the past behind him. When he decides to adopt a child, he returns to Romania and the orphanage where Carrie works - breaking her heart when he chooses Viktor, her favorite. Will Carrie trust God to fulfill her dreams in His time? Can Steve let go of grief and learn to love again? Fall in love with this inspiring love story and our entire collection of Christian romance novels from Heartsong Presents!

"The rediscovery of Bretan and the revival of his music today are important for two reasons. The need for atonement - for the political injustice done to the man himself, in his own country and as an artist - is fairly obvious. But the recovery of his works is a cultural obligation we all must share, as we must with respect to all of Western culture's great artistic creations."--BOOK JACKET.

Transcultural modernism -- Verbunkos -- Identity, nationalism, and modernism -- Modernism and authenticity -- Listening to transcultural tonal practices -- The verbunkos idiom in the music of the future -- Idiomatic lateness